Just because we’re staying at home, doesn’t mean Virginia’s residents have to miss out on peak farmers market season. Launching Monday, April 27 is Virginia Farmers Market Week, being held in partnership by Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Lasting through Sunday, May 3, the campaign encourages Virginians to shop local at farmers markets that are offering curbside pickup and no-contact delivery. Many farmers markets have also begun implementing pre-ordering online, limited walk-through traffic on-site and have begun selling pre-packed produce options.
Local options include Alexandria’s Farmers Market To-Go program, which features more than 40 vendors from the city’s farmers markets, including Old Town Farmers Market, the oldest continuously run farmers market in the country, dating back to when George Washington sold his produce there.
There are nearly 300 farmers markets in the state, which provide direct support to local agriculture. Head to virginiagrown.com to search for your closest farmers market. Residents are encouraged to call ahead to learn about the markets’ current operations.
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