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It's been a while...
This is the first newsletter of 2024. So on behalf of the Market Central Staff,
Happy New Year!
We have been busy coordinating vendors, promoting food access programs, and creating classes for our local entrepreneurs. Keep reading to find out more about all these Market Central projects and if you see Cecile, buy that lady a donut. She's been busy!
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Our Market Central Team: Trey, Curtis, Cecile, Gus, Samantha (not pictured, Shakaya). | |
In April we welcomed the Tom Tom Festival goers into the market to explore how local entrepreneurs use farmers markets to develop, share, and sell their products. Farmers markets allow vendors a place of business with little overhead investment and unlimited customer feedback. We used the opportunity to highlight the diversity of our vendors and their products and Market Central's programs that grow and support small business owners. | | |
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For more than a year, Market Central has partnered with Bread and Roses Community Kitchen to offer classes in business development, food regulations, and product safety for new small business owners.
We call the initiative Just Food, Just Economy.
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This year we are also partnering with the Community Investment Collaborative and the Office of Economic Opportunity to participate in the LaunchPad @ Ix program. Entrepreneurs who are ready to try the market can apply and be placed at the market at no cost (an approval fee applies). Those who aren't ready to launch yet can still take advantage of our classes through the Just Food Just Economy initiative.
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In addition to supporting new local businesses, we are exploring the community's need for a new farmers market.
Maybe another day of the week? Maybe another time of day?
Farmers Markets employ market staff and provide income for the vendors all the while supporting small farms and rural land use. They are also a source of healthy, fresh local foods to communities and a place where people can gather socially to build stronger relationships with local food and neighbors. Come by the market tent and tell us what you want to see in a new farmers market space.
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In collaboration with Bread and Roses community kitchen, Market Central was awarded a grant from the Virginia Food Access Investment Fund of $50,000 to develop food businesses and increase access to fresh food in Charlottesville. | |
Food Access at the Farmers Market | |
"Food Access" at the Farmers Market means supporting programs that create opportunities for low income customers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers. The health of our community is important to us and providing incentives to purchase fresh foods is part of the market love. Learn more about the our programs below or stop by the market booth for a chat. | |
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The Farmers Market at Ix began participating in the Farm Market Fresh program in 2023. Eligible seniors could receive $50 in vouchers through the program to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables starting in June.
Choose from great farms like Agriberry, Bellair Farm, Whisper Hill Farm, Singing Earth Produce, Second Mountain Farm, and Little Hat Creek Farm (all approved in the program).
To learn about eligibility or enroll in the program APPLY HERE or sign up at the market on Saturdays!
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Last year, Market Central provided $15,000 through Virginia Fresh Match to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, edible plants, and seeds.
The program requires no application. If you are a SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) customer you are eligible for up to $50 of your SNAP used at the market to be matched with these coupons. The market has SNAP-eligible foods such as meats, eggs, frozen meals like pizza or crabcakes, and value-added products (jam, sauces, etc).
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Summer SNAP is now called SunBucks!
$120 in SunBucks is available to children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school. Learn more HERE.
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Saturdays at the Farmers Market at Ix Art Park | |
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We have battled quite a few rainy days so far this season, but the customers never fail to amaze us. Rain or shine we see you there. Looking for your favorite farmer, Searching for something new. Checking in on old friends.
Curious about which vendors will be at the market each Saturday?
Check out the Community and Market News Blog
Vendors are posted each Friday.
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May is the beginning of the busy season for the farmers. The CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) begin and the fields are popping with produce! We are fortunate to have such a bounty of local farms and businesses we can rely on to fill the market. Bread, grains, chicken, beef, eggs, fruits and produce galore! And of course, our artisans make life interesting. So many talented craftspeople in one space! | | |
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Some vendors will alternate weeks that they are at the market. Take the opportunity to try a new business and don't forget to share your favorites with a friend.
If it's the first Saturday of the month, Deep Roots Milling will be at the market. Want to try their grits? Stop by SFG Foods and try his cocoa grits with hot honey. Yum.
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Market Central relies on donations from those vested in local food.
We support our community by providing
- Access to local, fresh foods
- Exposure for farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs
- Research into best practices at markets and food access programs
- Collaboration with organizations to give voice to the community
- Promotion of our local economy by giving local businesses a venue and customers buying power through our Market Currency
We're Writing a Grant!
The Farmers Market at Ix is managed by Market Central. We receive no support from the City of Charlottesville. Our revenues come from vendor fees, grants, and donations. 85% of our market income is paid to rent the venue for the market. The remaining 15% does not cover the costs of operating the market! The USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program grant will make a major difference in the stability of the market, our programs, and market management.
We Need Your Help
The FMPP grant requires a 25% funds match and we are looking for pledges from the community. Make a pledge on the form below and show the community's support for the Farmers Market at Ix! Payment will not be required unless we get the grant.
Pledges are needed by May 10.
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Market Central is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax-deductible. | |
On the Ground with the Growers Working to Localize Seed Production
APR 29, 2024. Daniel Walton, Modern Farmer Magazine
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The local food movement often has its roots in seeds grown far afield, but more farmers want to bring those foundational pieces of agriculture back home.
For many small-scale fruit and vegetable growers, “local” is the word that makes their business work. Shoppers seek out—and pay premiums for—the promise that a juicy tomato or vibrant squash was raised right down the road.
Yet much of the time, the local food economy ultimately depends on big farms thousands of miles across the country or even overseas: the seed producers who provide planting stock for the growing season. The resulting seeds, developed under very different environmental conditions, aren’t always a great agricultural fit for the farms that grow them. And mistakes by large seed farms can reverberate widely, as with last year’s “Jalapeñogate,” where stores across the United States sold peppers that had been mislabeled by an international grower.
Continue reading the article...
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