Dear Readers, You are getting a sneak preview of our new, all-markets ad that I worked up to showcase a collaboration amongst ALL farmer’s Markets across Rockbridge County. This full-page, full-color ad will appear in mid-August, as a page in their stand-alone Newcomers Guide, available to Residents & all Incoming Students.
***Make sure you snag & save your own issue from the Lexington-Rockbridge Chamber of Commerce***
There’s literally something-for-everyone in it, much like your friendly Lexington Farmers Market, you’ll find yourself leaning on it all year-long…
Take special note, too, of the section in red, at the bottom, where we are announcing an all-new collaboration of all farmers markets in Rockbridge County and we will have ONE HUGE “MEGA-MARKET” at the upcoming Rockbridge Fair & Expo. Come shop from all the best farmers from across the Blue Ridges, assembled for you in solidarity with one another.
Mark your calendars for Sept 13th. Go on, i’ll wait…
Also, If your dog has been missing Carol’s pet treats, better known as “Whistle Creek Pet Nutrition”, the new business owner, Becky (who also manages the Kerrs Creek market) has confirmed she will be stocked up that day at the Horse Center. We all miss Carol, but at least you can still get her treats!
In the meantime, shop for pet treats from Kara, at @twista J farm, LLC towards the top of the 2nd row.
And now, let’s talk about Competition & Cooperation:
As farmers markets, we all support one another. You may have noticed that some vendors turn up at multiple markets so we have reason to stay vested in one another’s success, and ensuring top quality everywhere, for consistency with our own standards.
And tonight we hit an unexpected crisis. The kind of thing you just can’t plan for. But since my personal motto is “Lettuce Rise Together” ;0) I got support and help from other farmer’s markets.
We have one Sourdough baker out as his own bakery build-out drags on with construction-delays, so we have all been leaning heavily on our other sourdough baker. We usually have enough business and interest in long-rise sourdough boules to support TWO full-time businesses. Except for this week, our 2nd sourdough bakery business has a family emergency, ***ALMOST*** leaving us with out any sourdough loaves this one week.
So, with thanks to some quality collaborations, WE HAVE ARRANGED A TREAT FOR YOU!
I frequent other markets and taste test as much other local regiounal food as one belly can possibly handle. I take note of the labels and products that I enjoy along the way. (Because you never know… at least that the excuse I tell myself when I load up my basket with too much food. It’s for work, right? Yeah, yeah, THAT’S the ticket!)
Last fall, I visited a one-day farmer’s market held at Lexington\’s Tractor Supply, a pilot program. Truth be told, I was hoping to persuade the powers that be oto host the Lex FM on a regular basis, right there on Route 11. Alas, it proved something of a pipe-dream. But my impressions of the Hen Honcho Sourdough loaves were a bonus to the whole experience, so we are bringing her in to downtown Lexington, with almost no advance notice!
I really admire her willingness to just JUMP IN, & PLAY TEAM.
For the three hours prior to talking to her, I heard all the reasons, all the excuses why everyone else though it simply “impossible” despite having otherwise lovely conversations with each and everyone of these potential back-up baker rockstars.
All we needed was JUST ONE who would pivot from “impossible” to “I’m Possible”.
I saved her label from last fall, because I liked it that much!
Won’t you please join me to extend a MOST WARM WELCOME to Mary Repair, the head honcho over at The HEN Honcho . She has agreed to bring her long-rise, just-sour-enough sourdough boules to our market for you this week. You’ll find her towards the bottom of the 2nd row, opposite Mitch, of Paradox Farm.
PS: Serious Props and a shout out to Tiffani, Manager of the Natural Bridge Saturday Farmer\’s Market for making this happen, in the blink of an eye.
THAT is support, and collaboration and a great example of \”Lettuce Rise Together\” in action. More of that, yes please.
You\’ll get a chance to see her back with us for our special event, “Tomato-Rama” on August 13th. Make sure you pick up one of her stellar Tomato Jams, an heirloom family recipe of Tomlin Family Farms:
Alrighty – let’s get on with this week’s market ForkCast:
REMINDER THAT ALL OUR EGG VENDORS CARRY EGGS, BUT YOU MAY HAVE TO ASK FOR THEM OUT OF THEIR COOLERS.
FIRST ROW- from the bottom UP:
* Pam of West Farms WV (VINE-RIPENED TOMATOES, Veggies, Lamb, and design-your-own-bouquets) ACCEPTS CC AND CASH
* Paradox Farm – 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 ACCEPTS VENMO, CHECKS, AND CASH
* Little Hat Creek – ALL the organic starts & veggies, and Tony’s unscented goat’s milk soaps
ACCEPTS VENMO, CC AND CASH
* Hearthstone Farms – A mini-farmers market all in one booth, Eggs, Poultry, Baked Goods, Produce, Preserves, Quiches, & possibly 28 more things, too! ACCEPTS VENMO, CC AND CASH
* 6 Bittersweets – THE MOST Elegant Cupcakes of Rockbridge County ACCEPTS VENMO, CC AND CASH
* Hermitage Hollow – Fresh Produce, Eggs, canned goods, and more. ACCEPTS CHECKS & CASH ONLY
* Refill Rockbridge – Only present at market every 2nd & 4th weeks, monthly
* Mountaineer Munchkins Homestead – Eggs and All Homesteaders products, including breads, bagels, foccacias, lip balms, and whipped tallow creams
***NOTE: All egg vendors now keep their EGGS out of the sun till purchased, to comply 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!)
2ND ROW – from the bottom UP:
* Singing Earth Produce – If it grows, blooms, or flowers, Senor Adolfo’s got it!
ACCEPTS CREDIT CARDS, CASH & CHECKS
* VISITING GUEST BAKER: THE HEN HONCHO
* Kelly’s Persian Foods –Authentic Baklava, anyone? Or “LIQUID SUNSHINE” , aka Lemon Saffron Syrup. ACCEPTS CREDIT CARDS, CASH & CHECKS
* Twista J Farm LLC – QUAIL eggs, regular eggs, all the meats, herd shares, sandwich loaf breads, Tallows/Lards & PET JERKY. ACCEPTS CREDIT CARDS, CASH & CHECKS
* Just Bee Apiary – Local Honeys, in various configurations, Candles, Beeswax-based body products. ACCEPTS CREDIT CARDS, CASH & CHECKS
*Abundant Life Kitchen, Lexington – Kate returns! All her delish treats with some samples, weather permitting, and already cooked, ready to heat ‘n eat meals. ACCEPTS VENMO, CREDIT CARDS, CASH & CHECKS
***NOTE: All egg vendors now keep their EGGS out of the sun till purchased, to comply 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… ACCEPTS CASH & CHECKS ONLY
ACCEPTS APPLE-PAY, CASH-APP, VENMO, CREDIT CARDS, CASH & CHECKS
* Eat my treats – Trecia brings Cold brew coffees & Lemonades, plain and flavored. Sweet things, too!
* Blueberry Hill at Still House – Heritage NO-SPRAY Blueberries, Blueberry Lemonade by the cup, Also rare finds of Heritage Blueberry Vine Wood products, all one-of-a-kind beautiful handcrafted wood objects, clock faces, pedestal stools, clothing or gun racks, walking sticks, jewelry and salt dishes, and soon, rainbow carrots, too (all raised with zero pesticides)
* Bigfoot & Sons, LLC – Freshly grown Microgreens – samples available
ACCEPTS CASH, CREDIT CARDS & CHECKS
*Ulmer Mountain View Farms – Hydroponic and field-fresh produce.
ACCEPTS CASH, CREDIT CARDS & CHECKS
*Dickie Brothers Orchard – Currently featuring PEACHES, PLUMS & Blueberries, soon to have other stone fruit (cling free peaches and nectarines, eventually apples, too)
ACCEPTS CASH, CREDIT CARDS & CHECKS
FOURTH ROW – From the bottom of the slope, Customer Parking, and:
* Sensorium Herbals – For all your Herbal Healing needs
ACCEPTS VENMO, CREDIT CARDS, CASH & CHECKS
* Aaron, The Knife Man – On-Site Sharpening Services and nut butter samples ACCEPTS CASH
*Upcycle By Carol – Bicycle themed booth with many creative household décor, jewelry, and upcycled fashion items.
ACCEPTS CREDIT CARDS, CASH & CHECKS with local ID
* Ferncliff Florals & Ferments – Regenerative Farmer of flowers & Veggies for Kimchi.
ACCEPTS VENMO, CREDIT CARDS, CASH & CHECKS
Absent from market July 23rd:
Conifer Breads
Razumov Ukrainian Bakery d/b/a Sweet & OK LLC
Maunsell Foods
The Maury River Mushrooms Farm
Ritual Breads
All of the vendors above are expected back NEXT WEEK for 7-30-25
Exception:
Blumengarten Designs remains on vacation for 3 weeks.
See you Wednesday!