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Our farmers market is year-round
Keep finding your favorite vendors, even in winter
Our farmers market is year-round
The need for fresh, locally-raised produce and prepared foods doesn’t just disappear in winter. And while some of the food that is available in the colder months changes, our commitment to connecting local farmers and producers with this community doesn’t. The Farmers Market @ St. Stephen’s is year-round. This winter—like last year—we’ve decided to remain outdoors to keep everyone safe. While we’ll switch over to our winter vendors the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we’ll still be in the parking lot. We learned last year, when the pandemic was surging, that people would simply bundle up and do their shopping. Many vendors offer online pre-orders as well as CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture–farm shares), so you can shop quickly and get back into a warm car. Among the blessings of this market are the people. Vendors and customers are part of one another’s weekly routine, and in that rhythm, they become a community. Keeping the market going in winter means that this community continues to thrive—especially during a time of year that can be lonely and challenging for many. We cherish these connections and the ways they enrich our lives.
By Liz Bartenstein
By Anna Jones lids are compostable!
THINGS TO REMEMBER
The Café @ St. Stephen’s is open Saturdays. Fuel up for your shopping trip with a healthy smoothie or breakfast snacks, and/or warm up after your outdoor shopping with freshly brewed coffee, tea, a latté or other hot drink. Our to-go cups and
The market is open 9 a.m. until noon. Fresh produce is available from several vendors, but it’s in great demand. So be sure to arrive early, or better yet, sign up for your favorite vendor’s CSA program. In addition to produce, you’ll find eggs, meats, baked goods and prepared foods.
Do you receive the market newsletter? Go to ststephensRVA. org/email to sign up for this free weekly email so you’ll be sure to know when your favorite vendors will be at the market, and to learn about market surprises. Each issue also includes a recipe and a prayer to say at mealtime. We’re also on Facebook and Instagram.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Fresh produce all winter: Agriberry Farm and CSA, Broadfork Farm, Bundy Heirloom Farm, Crumptown Farm, Liberty Tree Farm, and 22 Oaks Garden are all continuing through the winter. Island Farms will also bring eggs and hydroponic greens, and Haashrooms will have cultivated and foraged mushrooms.
Meat and eggs all winter: Black Boar Farm, ShireFolk Farm, Snyder Family Farm, and Wandering Cow Farm will have meat this winter. Among the four of them, you will find chicken, beef, pork, and lamb. The Mayor will continue to bring a variety of sausages, and Black Boar Farm, Island Farms, ShireFolk Farm, and Snyder Family Farm will all have eggs.
Services: Sharp Again will be here every other week, ready to sharpen your kitchen and garden tools.
Prepared foods and the Café: Once again, My Empanada will be with us over the winter. The Mayor will continue to carry his breakfast sandwiches. Truly Scrumptious, Curds and Whey RVA, Souper Chef G, and Unkol Chuck’s Brunswick Stew will also have grab-and-go food. Geescakes will continue to offer their delicious miniature cheesecakes, Cakes by Jen will have coffee cakes, Chewy’s Bagels will have bagels, and saltncinnamon microbakery will have breads and pastries. Richmond Olive Oil Co. will have imported olive oil, grown and bottled in ways sustainable for people and planet. As mentioned, the Café @ St. Stephen’s will be open with fresh coffee, tea, espresso drinks, smoothies, and other goodies. There’s indoor and outdoor seating at the café, so you can enjoy a warm drink safely and comfortably.
Food trucks: there will be a new rotation of food trucks this winter: Meat Wagon Barbecue, Brekkie Waffles, and more.
Artisans and craftspeople: In addition to all of our great food vendors, we’ll have a number of jewelry makers, craftspeople and artisans as part of the indoor market. Visit them for Christmas décor and gifts, and come see them throughout the winter months: KR2 Fiber Arts, Shady Nook Alpacas, Laura Heyward (paper goods), DK Designs Jewelry, Lovely to Look At Jewelry, Wandering Cow Farm, One Hive Farm, Brookland Park Pottery, RVA Cutting Boards, Perry Spires (cutting boards and other wooden items), and Tangara Handmade Purses. ✤
MARKET LEADERSHIP
Anna Jones is the market manager, and Larry Bidwell is the assistant market manager. Volunteers are needed every Saturday—contact us at farmersmarket@ststephensRVA.org or sign up online at ststephensRVA.org/market.
