Virginia’s farmers markets gaining ground

Matt Powell and his family run Black Creek Farm in Mechanicsville, Va. using only natural fertilizers and insect control. Powell, his wife Kim and their son Sage sell their carrots, tomatoes, greens and more at the RVA Big Market. They are among farmers across Virginia who provide “Virginia Grown” fresh food to their communities at Virginia Farmers Market Association (VAFMA) member markets.

National Farmers Market Week (NFMW), held the first week of August each year, celebrates farmers markets like RVA Big Market to highlight the essential role they play in providing food for their communities. This year, NFMW is August 6-12.

As part of the Commonwealth’s food access system, farmers markets help the environment with short supply chains, support rural agriculture, provide nutritious Virginia grown and Virginia produced food and provide a marketplace for farmers, food producers and artisans.

In Virginia, inclusivity and expanding access to lower income seniors and families has been a priority in recent years. A partnership with the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and funds from the Virginia General Assembly and the federal American Rescue Plan Act helped expand the number of farmers and farmers markets participating in the Farm Market Fresh program. “VAFMA is proud to be working with DARS to expand Farm Market Fresh to farmers markets across Virginia,” says VAFMA executive director Kim Hutchinson.

This program provides funds for eligible low-income seniors and WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program recipients to use at farmers markets and the program is on track to double the number of participating farmers by 2024. Eligible Senior and WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program participants also saw an increase in the amount of funds they received this year.

Seniors interested in receiving produce vouchers should contact their local area agency on aging and WIC participants should contact their local program office. Eligibility requirements and contact information for the program are available at: https://www.vda.virginia.gov/FarmMarketFresh.htm

Access to fresh, nutritious food has expanded with:

– 150 markets participating in the federal Senior and WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program

– 122 markets accepting SNAP payments from consumers

– 74 markets accepting Virginia Fresh Match, a program enabling SNAP recipients to double the value of their federal nutrition benefits

– 33 percent of Virginia farms being located in food deserts across the state

Beyond program expansion, VAFMA is leading a team of agricultural partners to visit the farms and make sure all of the farmers are actually growing the products they sell. Partners include the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Virginia State University’s Small Farm Outreach Program.

There are 265 farmers markets in Virginia. To find one in your local area visit: https://vafma.org/find-market/ or download the Virginia Farmers Market Trail app in the Apple App Store.

About the Virginia Farmers Market Association

The Virginia Farmers Market Association (VAFMA) is a member‐based, statewide association supporting Virginia’s 265 farmers markets. VAFMA offers education initiatives, while building opportunities for collaboration, networking, advocacy, and innovation that support the growth and sustainability of farmers and farmers markets statewide.

Virginia is for Farmers Market Lovers is part of Virginia’s Love campaign. Visit www.lovevamarkets.org for more information.