| Dear Friend,
I’ve just returned from a small village in Europe, where I stayed at a medieval Air BnB, yet it came with a well-equipped kitchen! To enjoy all the local flavors, it was also surrounded by bustling café’s and tantalizing restaurants. The region, the Valley of the Dordogne river, is the breadbasket of France, known for its Perigourdine style of cuisine. While there, I visited as many farmers’ markets, food halls, and “backyard farmers” as my family could possibly stand without a mutiny. Luckily, we ALL love food and especially to eat, so I encountered no resistance.
Arguably, it was something of a “busman’s holiday”, but I couldn’t think of a better way to experience life as a local, while also enjoying feeling like a visitor… I imagine this is very much like the folks we encounter at any of our own region’s beloved markets.
In fact, the similarities were endless…
* Vendors & farmers rising before dawn each market day to pack up their produce and products, signage, cash, card readers, scales, beverages and lunch to be wolfed down on the go and in between customer interactions, setting off to travel to their local farmers markets, all within their equivalent of a hyper-local boundary.
*Visitors planning their sightseeing, meals and picnicking around whatever local treasures are unearthed at each stall, booth or tent.
* Customers seeking out their version of the best, freshest, most local ingredient.
*Locals, choosing to support their local community, shopping regularly if not weekly, all to find something new while others look for something familiar, frequent shoppers checking-in with their favorite vendor (How’s the family? How’s that newborn Sheep doing?), chatting with neighbors, bringing something home for loved ones, cooking a special meal, or taking the night off from cooking, checking in on a community member, enjoying some social support, breathing in fresh air and feeling the sunshine on their face, choosing to come to market for mental & physical wellness….
As you see, their numerous reasons to come to market are totally familiar. Only the Euros are different from our Dollars and I was sure clumsy making change!
Every single participant from the above scenarios plays a pivotal role and we are grateful to all of you!
YOU, dear friend, provide our “family” of small and mid-sized farmers cash flow, in some cases even, you’re creating an additional income-stream; you give entire communities access to high-quality, local honey, dairy, meat, bakery, artisan-crafted items, and produce, thereby building meaningful connections between the end-user, the consumers, you, and the families who grow your food. Best of all 62% of your monies spent return right back into this local economy, versus a measly 15% when spent at any national chain merchant.
If you, like me, treasure and support the Lexington (VA) Farmer’s Market local farmers, and the food they provide for your family’s favorite dishes, then I think it’s no exaggeration to say that our food system rests on these farmer’s shoulders.
That’s why, we are so thankful for your loyal support!
And now, onto tomorrow’s market!
As of now, this is 100% accurate. Note exceptions listed under “absences”
ALSO PLEASE NOTICE ***All EGG vendors now keep their EGGS out of the sun till purchased, to comply with with USDA food-safety requirements during market hours *** JUST ASK FOR EGGS IF YOU DON’T SEE THEM
FIRST ROW- from the bottom UP:
* Pam of West Farms WV (FLOWERS, LAMB, Veggies, too, in the very near future!)
* Paradox Farms – Everything here is “beyond organic”, including EGGS, tender & hearty greens alike, vinegars from local fruits, CBD , Herbal Tea, and as always, check the ever-changing rotation of seasonal produce
* ***NEW*** Abundant Life Kitchen – Kate returns, with all the plant-based Eats & Treats !
* Little Hat Creek – ALL the organic starts & veggies; See Tony for his all-natural, fragrance/color free soaps.
* Hearthstone Farms – A mini-farmers market all in one booth, EGGS, Poultry, Baked Goods, Produce, Preserves, Quiches, & possibly 28 more things, too!
* 6 Bittersweets – THE MOST Elegant Cupcakes of Rockbridge County (no hyperbole here…IYKYK)
* Hermitage Hollow – Fresh produce, EGGS, canned goods, and more
* Refill Rockbridge – – – takes this spot when present (THIS WEEK & every 2nd & 4th week monthly)
* Mountaineer Munchkins Homestead – NOW AN OFFICIAL LLC! Many homesteader bath & body products, freshly canned goods (NEW ITEM!! PICKLES!), sourdough focaccia breads and EGGS
***NOTE: All EGG vendors now keep their EGGS out of the sun till purchased, to comply with with USDA food-safety requirements during market hours ***
Climb UP the slope to the top of the market for:
Blue Ridge Cider Doughnut (Go Nuts for these HOT doughnuts, right out of the fryer and take a box home for all your weekend celebrations. Dad’s Day, Anyone?!)
2ND ROW – from the bottom UP:
* Singing Earth Produce – If it grows, blooms, or flowers, Senor Adolfo’s got it! EGGS,too.
* Ritual Bread – Long Ferment SOURDOUGH from organic, local grains
* Sensorium Herbals – For all your herbal healing needs
* Kelly’s Persian Foods –Authentic Baklava, anyone? Or “LIQUID SUNSHINE” , aka Lemon Saffron Syrup.
* Twista J Farm LLC – QUAIL eggs, regular EGGS, all the meats, herd shares, sandwich loaf breads, Tallows/Lards & PET JERKY
Currently, the ONLY farm-fresh pet treats at market. Bring your pup to her tent and let Kara work her magic..
* Blueberry Hill at Still House – Heritage Blueberry Vines yield beautiful handcrafted wood objects, racks, walking sticks, jewelry and salt dishes, and shortly, even actual blueberries , rainbow carrots, too (ZERO pesticides)
* Just Bee Apiary – Local Honeys, in various configurations, creative Candles, Beeswax-based body products, all-natural food-based dyes used for colors
***NOTE: All EGG vendors now keep their EGGS out of the sun till purchased, to comply with with USDA food-safety requirements during market hours ***
THIRD ROW – from the bottom UP:
* Sunflower Flats – JoEllen, Produce, baked goods, soups, salads & spreads, plus homesteader gift items. Say “hi” to her husband Steve, who might just play you a song… PS – Jo & Steve have NEVER used any pesticides or chemicals – EVER! <3 #madskills
* Eat my treats – Trecia features iced Cold Lemonades, Cold Brew Asunder Coffee & coffee beans, plus some baked goods
* Blumengarten Designs – See Angelika for all your flowers & centerpieces and ALL the LAVENDER things!
* Razumov Ukrainian Bakery d/b/a Sweet & OK LLC – Ferments, Vegetable Side Dishes (amazing Carrot salad!) & homemade pies in savory & sweet versions
* Upcycle by Carol J. – Bicycle parts upcycled into very creative wearables, decor and gifts
* Ulmer Mountain View Farms
* Mary Ann Noel with early-season Blueberries
FOURTH ROW – HYDRATION STATION and these following vendors, from the bottom up
* Aaron, The Knife Man – On-Site Sharpening Services and free osage SEEDLINGS (while they last), nut butter samples
* Maunsell Foods – The GF & Alpha-Gal safe treats & snacks
* Cold Water will be available for you, your child, your pup, construction workers, passerby, anyone at all.
Come beat the heat with us!
* Ferncliff Florals & Ferments – Regenerative farming never looked, or tasted so good!
Absent from market the week of June 25, 2025:
* The Maury River Mushrooms Farm
* Conifer Breads
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