Thursday, April 28, 2022

Virginia Farmers Markets

farmers market tomatoes

Virginia farmers markets offer fresh produce and other items from early Spring until late Fall. Summer is the busiest season, with fresh fruits and vegetables of every description being available.

A trip to a local farmers market is a great way to stock up on fresh fruits, vegetables, produce, herbs, flowers, garden plants, seafood, meats, cheeses, poultry, breads, jellies, jams, arts and crafts and more.

vintage peanut plant

Virginia farmers are known for producing high quality fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, other foods.

Virginia farmers have been growing peanuts since the early 1840's. Virginia's peanuts are grown in Southeastern Virginia's sandy soil where the climate is ideal for producing large peanuts. Because of their size, Virginia peanuts have acquired the reputation of being the "Cadillac" of peanuts.

Strawberries are another food produced in Virginia. Each spring, small to mid-sized farms produce abundant crops of fresh, juicy strawberries in April and May.

Tomatoes are a local favorite in Virginia. Most of the crop is grown in summer thru early fall. Small producers and specialty crop farmers produce greenhouse tomatoes nearly all year round.

Virginia is known for its variety of greens. Grown mainly by small specialty farmers, varieties include turnip greens, kale, spinach, collards, and others.

Virginia orchards produce a variety of fresh fruit. Local favorites include peaches, apples, blueberries, and raspberries.

Find Local Food Sources

Tidewater Virginia Farmers Markets

This directory of Tidewater Virginia Farmers Markets lists sources of fruits, vegetables, produce, herbs, flowers, garden plants, seafood, meats, cheeses, poultry, breads, jellies, jams, arts and crafts, and other products.

Local Harvest (localharvest.org)

Visit www.localharvest.org to find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies.

Organic Consumers Association (www.organicconsumers.org)

The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public interest organization campaigning for health, justice, and sustainability.

USDA - Find a Farmers Market

Use this USDA tool to find farmers markets in any U.S. state.

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (vdacs.virginia.gov)

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) promotes the economic growth and development of Virginia agriculture, provides consumer protection and encourages environmental stewardship.