Building a thriving local food system often begins at the farmers market. They have quickly become the go-to spot for finding a wide variety of locally-grown foods and farm products. The number of farmers markets in Virginia has grown from 88 in 2006 to nearly 250 in 2015, according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 

Stocking the pantry and refrigerator with fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat, baked goods, and more is an obvious motivator for making a weekly trip to the farmers market. However, there are also many hidden benefits to buying groceries at farmers market. Here are five reasons, originally published by the Farmers Market Coalition, for supporting your local farmers market:

• Farmers markets stimulate local economies because they (and other locally owned retailers) return more than three times as much of their revenue to the local economy than chain competitors, which creates jobs and boots economic activity.

• Farmers markets increase access to fresh, nutritious food when located in food deserts and by accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

• As a place where farmers and neighbors come together to educate each other about nutrition, cooking, and farming, farmers markets provide communities with a healthy food environment.

• As a community gathering space, farmers markets support healthy communities by fostering interactions among people of different race, class, age, and lifestyle.

• Farmers markets promote sustainability by creating new business opportunities for farmers interested in selling sustainably produced foods that protect the natural environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare.

In recognition of the positive impact farmers markets have in communities across Virginia, Governor McAuliffe officially proclaimed Aug. 2-8 as Farmers Market Week in Virginia. There are several area markets. In Farmville, customers can visit the Farmville Community Marketplace located at 213 North Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and the Heart of Virginia Farmers Market located at 225 Industrial Road (STEPS, Inc. parking lot) from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

According to Virginia Cooperative Extension, if each household in Prince Edward spent just $10 per week of their total food budget on local food and farm products, it would generate an economic impact of $4,256,720 annually in the county. 

For more information, contact Caitlin Miller at (434)-392-4246 or cgracem@vt.edu.