Farmers Market commits to building Blacksburg's community from the "soil up"
Located in the heart of downtown, the market brings together vendors and neighbors to inspire a strengthened sense of community.
by Haven Lewis
Every Saturday morning and Wednesday afternoon, the Market Square Park in downtown Blacksburg is alive with the bustle of music, laughter and excitement radiating from the farmers market.
“It’s a good community setting. There’s a lot of education that happens here,” says Jessica Shultz, the owner of Blacksburg Bagels and a vendor since November 2013. “It’s just a nice place to hang out and become acquainted with new people in town as well as new foods.”
According to the Blacksburg Farmer’s Market website, the market’s roots can be traced back to the mid 1980s. A handful of farmers began selling their harvest from their vehicles in a parking lot located on South Main Street. The market moved in the early 1990s to its current location on the corner of Draper Road and Roanoke Street, and has evolved throughout the years.
Now, more than 40 vendors within 50 miles of Blacksburg bring their goods to the market each week, as reported by the Step Into Blacksburg website. Everything from organic vegetables, fresh herbs, handcrafted goods, fruits, meats, dairy products, baked goods, and flowers and plants can be found at the multitude of vending tables.
“We’re on Jenelle Road in Blacksburg, about 3 miles from here,” says Lauren Cooper, the owner of Greenstar Farm. “We’re a certified organic vegetable, small fruits, and medicinal herb farm. We’ve been selling here at the farmers market for 25 years.”
The market’s motto is, “eat locally, live sustainably.” By purchasing from the farmers market, shoppers are not only supporting the local economy, but also reducing their carbon footprints. Food sold at the market has traveled a short distance compared to the produce at supermarkets that has traveled thousand of miles.
Vendors are willing to answer any questions shoppers’ may have about how the food is grown and how to best prepare it, contributing to the overall community environment and educational experience. In addition to the food sold, the market also features live music, child-friendly activities, and special events.
Join the Blacksburg movement and “buy, eat, live local”.
Blacksburg, VA., April 13 - Home of the Farmers Market: Chris Pritchett, a graphic design instructor at Virginia Tech, along with his students, designed and painted the mural above in 2010. Market Square Park is home to the Blacksburg Farmer's Market and serves as a gathering place for the local community. Photo: Haven Lewis