This summer, the Radford Farmers’ Market (on East Main Street under the Cubanola mural, on Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.) welcomes new members to its family of farmer vendors and a new market manager.
New vendors include Hook Line and Sinker, a local fresh seafood vendor, Gardner’s Frozen Treats, a local establishment from Christiansburg with ice cream and gelato, and hydroponically grown kale, bok choy, romaine, and other greens from Janet and Fred Webster according to the market’s release.
Those new vendors join long-established Alpenglow Farms that sells baked goods and honey, Gracie’s Gardens with homegrown greens and vegetables, Cavalier Farms who has a variety of fresh meats, eggs, fruits and vegetables, and a variety of fresh cut and garden-ready flowers from Norma Jean.
Lauri Murphy, who has been working with the Radford Farmers’ Market for years, introduced new Market Manager Brooke Love to the market family.
“Managing the Radford Farmer’s Market has given me the opportunity to combine my communication and business marketing skills with my passion for farm fresh food,” Love said. “I hope through networking with various community partners that we are able to educate consumers about the benefits of purchasing fresh local food, build more support for our local farmers, artisans, and business owners, and provide a fun and engaging family shopping experience.”
Working to educate patrons on the importance of eating healthy and buying local, the Radford Market contributes to the camaraderie and synergy among local businesses, special events, and the community said the release.
“It’s just a great community event,” Murphy said about the market. “We are like family here. Every Saturday, we’re excited to get up, set up, and come down to serve our community. Our vendors work hard all week to bring the freshest and best produce, flowers or goods to the market,” she said.
There are five farmers’ markets in the New River Valley, vendors travel among them and value the Radford market.
“We love the Radford Farmers’ Market and the community it represents. We look forward to seeing our regular customers every spring and to making new friends and customers throughout the season,” vendor Shelia Puckett said.
On May 26th, newly elected Radford City Mayor, David Horton joined a crowd of vendors and customers in the market’s annual “Ribbon Cutting” ceremony marking the start of the 2018 season.
“There’s always something good at the farmers’ market,” Horton said.
He thanked vendors and customers for participating and supporting the local market, who were all eager to begin selling and shopping.
“Later, Horton aired a Facebook Live video where he greeted each vendor by name and raved about old-fashioned hard candy, home-baked puppy treats, strawberries, and the fresh seafood,” Murphy said.
For more information, visit the Radford Farmers’ Market on Facebook, Instagram, and online at www.radfordchamber.com. Contact the Market Manager Brooke Love at radfordfarmmarket@gmail.com
