One of the quiet pleasures of living in Clayton, NC — and especially in the Portofino community — is how close you are to the agricultural roots of Johnston County. While Portofino itself feels like a resort-style retreat with its equestrian trails, gated privacy, and wooded half-acre lots, the surrounding county still holds the working farms, roadside stands, and seasonal pick-your-own patches that give this part of North Carolina its character. For residents of 297 Bonaventure Dr, farm-fresh produce and a genuine connection to local food are less than a 15-minute drive away.
The Clayton Farm and Community Market: Saturday Mornings on Main Street
The Clayton Farm and Community Market at Horne Square (348 E. Main Street, Downtown Clayton) is the anchor of the local food scene. Operating since 2009, this nonprofit market hosts over 30 vendors each Saturday during the regular season (April through October, 9 AM to 1 PM), with a reduced winter schedule running every other Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM through March.
What makes this market special is the 100-mile sourcing rule: every product sold is grown or handmade within 100 miles of Clayton. That means the produce actually comes from Johnston County farms, not from a regional distribution hub. You will find:
- Fresh seasonal produce — tomatoes, corn, squash, cucumbers, greens, and whatever else is in peak season
- Pasture-raised meats and eggs from local producers like Shady Knoll Farms
- Local honey and beeswax products from Clayton Honey Co.
- Fresh seafood, baked goods, artisan breads, and coffee
- Cut flowers, plants, and handmade crafts
For Portofino residents, it is a 10-minute drive from the gate — close enough that grabbing a Saturday morning coffee and a bag of local produce feels effortless. The market also runs two special holiday markets in November and December, making it a year-round resource.
Pick-Your-Own Farms: Strawberries, Pumpkins, and More
Johnston County maintains a directory of 16 pick-your-own farms, and two of the closest to Portofino are worth putting on your calendar.
Pace Family Farms (12701 Buffalo Road, Clayton)
Just north of Clayton in the 27527 zip code, Pace Family Farms offers u-pick strawberries from mid-April through early June, plus pre-picked produce and CSA boxes on Saturdays from 9 AM to 12 PM. The farm sits on family land that has been cultivated for generations, and the strawberry season draws families from across the Triangle. For a resident of 297 Bonaventure Dr, it is roughly a 10-minute drive.
Boyette Family Farms (1620 Loop Road, Clayton)
Boyette Family Farms is a fall destination — the kind of place where you pick your own pumpkins, navigate a corn maze, and take the kids on a hayride. It also offers seasonal produce through the growing season. Located about 2.6 miles from downtown Clayton, it is a short trip from Portofino and makes for an easy weekend afternoon outing.
Johnston County Produce Market in Smithfield
For those who want a true produce-market experience, the Johnston County Produce Market at 1410 S. Brightleaf Boulevard in Smithfield is worth the 15-minute drive from Portofino. Open Sunday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM, this market brings together growers from across the county under one roof. It is the kind of place where you can buy a bushel of tomatoes for canning, grab fresh-cut flowers for the dining room table, and find seasonal specialties like muscadine grapes and Eastern North Carolina peanuts.
After a morning at the farmers market, coming home to a private screened porch overlooking a wooded half-acre lot makes the farm-to-table lifestyle complete.
Beyond the Markets: Agritourism and Farm Experiences
Johnston County's agricultural identity goes beyond produce stands. The county has invested in agritourism infrastructure that makes farm visits feel like outings rather than errands.
Several local farms offer seasonal events beyond pick-your-own — think farm-to-table dinners, u-pick blueberries and blackberries in late spring, and Christmas tree cutting in December. The county's official Pick Your Own directory is updated annually and serves as the best resource for finding what is ripe and ready.
Farm-to-Table Dining: Where the Local Produce Goes
Clayton's restaurant scene has grown substantially, and several spots actively incorporate local ingredients into their menus. Downtown Clayton's locally owned restaurants — including Clayton Steakhouse, Mannings Restaurant, and Aaktun Restaurant Coffee & Tiki Bar — source from area farms when possible. The Saturday market at Horne Square also creates a direct pipeline: chefs shop the stalls alongside residents, and what arrives at the market on Saturday morning can end up on your plate at a downtown restaurant that evening.
For those who prefer to cook at home — and the chef's kitchen at 297 Bonaventure Dr, with its farmhouse sink, pot filler, and oversized island, practically demands it — the short supply chain means your meal starts with ingredients that were in the ground within the past 24 hours.
What This Means for Portofino Residents
Living in Portofino places you at an intersection of two desirable lifestyles. Inside the gate, you have resort amenities — pools, trails, an equestrian center, and the privacy of a half-acre wooded lot. Just outside the gate, you have access to working farms, fresh produce, and a food culture rooted in the agricultural tradition of Johnston County.
For families, this combination is especially compelling. Kids growing up here learn where food actually comes from — not from a package, but from the fields at Pace Family Farms or the stalls at the Clayton market. For home cooks, the proximity to farm-fresh ingredients elevates everyday meals. And for anyone who values quality of life, the ability to spend a Saturday morning picking strawberries and an afternoon by the community pool is the definition of balance.
Tie It All Together at 297 Bonaventure Dr
A home like 297 Bonaventure Dr in Portofino is designed for the lifestyle that Johnston County makes possible. The screened-in back porch is the perfect spot to prep farm-fresh vegetables. The chef's kitchen with its center island and farmhouse sink handles everything from a bushel of tomatoes to a holiday feast. And the half-acre wooded lot — with direct access to miles of Portofino trails — means your Sunday morning market run can be followed by an afternoon hike through the same country landscape that grows your food.
Ready to experience the best of Johnston County living? Schedule a private tour of 297 Bonaventure Dr with Phil Slezak, or call 919-899-2320 to learn more about life in Portofino.
Phil leads one of the top-producing real estate teams in the Greater Triangle and Brunswick County areas — with over $100 million in sales.