Eating in season has many benefits to our health, the environment, and supporting the local economy. Eating foods in season means choosing fruits or vegetables that are harvested at their peak after the growing season or other types of food like dairy, eggs or whole grain items that were recently produced. Farmers Markets, Farm Store or CSA’s (weekly local food share) are great ways to purchase food that highlights in season produce and other fresh foods. Your local grocery store might also highlight in season produce or products, look out for signs around the store.

Here are other benefits to eating in season:
– Produce is at the peak of freshness usually offering a higher nutritional value
– Better flavors, taste, and quality
– Less travel time between farmer and market allows for fresher ingredients
– Better for the environment since the food is produced during the natural growing season
– Supports local farmers and the local economy
– Learn more about where your food comes from
– Form a relationship with local farmers

Try adding in season foods to your eating pattern and meals. Start by locating a nearby Farmers Market to see what is available in season and what types of foods are being offered. The vendors have great suggestions for how to cook your new produce or look through FNP’s recipe page for other ideas: Recipe Catalog
You may find your next favorite fruit or vegetable!

Below is a map of Virginia and the Virginia Cooperative Extension offices across the commonwealth where you can find additional resources. The list of Farmers Markets in Virginia below accept SNAP. The markets are listed in alphabetical order by district. To find more information such as address, hours, etc. visit each market website/social media.

Southwest District:
Abingdon Farmers Market
Big Stone Gap Farmers Market
Bluefield, VA Farmers Market
Catawba Valley Farmers Market
Chilhowie Farmers Market
Christiansburg Farmers Market
Clinch River Farmers Market
Covington Farmers Market
Floyd Farmers Market
Friends of the Farmers Market (Blacksburg)
Grandin Village Farmers Market
Historic Roanoke City Market
Independence Farmers Market
LEAP Mobile Market
Lebanon Farmers Market
Marion Regional Farmers Market
Norton Friends & Farmers Market
Pearisburg Community Market
Salem Farmers Market
Tazewell Farmers Market
The Marketplace
Town of Hillsville Farmers Market
Vinton Farmer’s Market
Vinton Farmer’s Market
West End Farmers Market
Wytheville Farmers Market

Southeast:
Buckroe Beach Farmers Market
Chincoteague Island Farmers and Artisans Market
Franklin’s Market on Main
Hampton Roads Urban Agriculture Farmers Market
Onancock Farmers & Artisans Market
Onancock Farmers and Artisans Market
Parsley Farmers Market
Prince George Farmers Market
Smithfield Farmers Market
Summer Market at Afterglow
The Onancock Farmers Market
The Surry County Farmers Market
Toano Open Air Market
Williamsburg Farmers Market
Yorktown Market Days

Central:
Bassett Train Station Market
Bedford Farmers Market
Buckingham Farmers & Artisans Market
Danville Farmers Market
Downtown South Boston Farmers Market
Farmville Community Marketplace
Forest Farmers Market
Lynchburg Community Market
Martinsville Uptown Farmers Market
Pamplin Depot Community Farmers Market
Rocky Mount Farmers’ Market
Stuart Farmers Market
The Market at Second Stage
Town of Halifax Farmers Market
Virginia Grown Farmers’ Market at Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex

Northwest:
Broadway, VA Community Market
Charlottesville City Market
Culpeper Downtown Farmers Market
Daughter of the Stars Farmers Market
Farmers in the Park
Flint Hill Latin Market
Greene Farmers Market
Highland Farmers Market
Lexington (Virginia) Farmers Market
Mineral Farmer’s Market
Project Grows – Elizabethton
Project Grows – Gypsy Hill House
Project Grows – Plaza Apartments
Project Grows – Staunton-Augusta County Health Department
Project Grows – Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church
Project Grows – Waynesboro Boys & Girls Club
Project Grows – Waynesboro Department of Social Services
Project Grows – Willow View Apartments
Rappahannock County Farmers Market
Staunton Farmers’ Market
Sunset Market at IX Art Park
The Farmers Market at IX Art Park
Village of Lovingston Farmers Market
Warrenton Farmers Market
Waynesboro Farmers Market

Northeast:
Annandale Farmers Market
Birdhouse Farmers Market
Broad Rock Farmers Market
Chesterfield County Farmers Market
Columbia Pike Farmers Market
Dale City (Prince Williams) Farmers Market
Dorey Park Farmers Market
Dumfries Farmers Market
Falls Church Farmers Market
Farmers Market at St Stephens
Four Mile Run Farmers Market
Fredericksburg, VA Farmers Market
FRESHFARM Arlington Courthouse Farmers Market
FRESHFARM Ballston Market
FRESHFARM Mosaic Farmers Market
FRESHFARM Oakton Farmers Market
FRESHFARM Rosslyn Farmers Market
Goochland Farmers Market
Historic Manassas Farmers Market
Hopewell Farmers Market
King George Farmers Market
Lakeside Farmers Market
Long Family Markets
Lorton Farmers Market
Lubber Run Farmers Market
LVHMC Cascades
LVHMC Leesburg Farmers Market
Manakin Market
McCutcheon-Mount Vernon Farmers Market
Northside Farmers Market
Old Town Alexandria Farmers Market
Old Town North Farmers Market
OnTheSquareVA Farmers Market
Powhatan Village Farmers Market
Reston Farmers Market
Reston Farmers Market by FRESHFARM
River Street Market
Route 639 Farmers Market
RVAg Pop-Up Farm and Craft Market
Shalom Farms Mobile Market
Shalom Farms Mobile Market – Bon Secours Care-A-Van @Ramsey Memorial UMC
Shalom Farms Mobile Market – Bon Secours Sarah Garland Jones Center
Shalom Farms Mobile Market – Broadrock Elementary School
Shalom Farms Mobile Market – Dominion Place Senior Apartments
Shalom Farms Mobile Market – Highland Park Senior Apartments
Shalom Farms Mobile Market – Lincoln Mews Apartments
Shalom Farms Mobile Market – Manchester YMCA
Shalom Farms Mobile Market – Mosby Court
Shalom Farms Mobile Market – Neighborhood Resource Center
Shalom Farms Mobile Market – Southwood Apartments
Shalom Farms Mobile Market – Stonewall Senior Apartments
Shalom Farms Mobile Market – VCU Massey Cancer Center
Shalom Farms Mobile Market – Winchester Greens
Spotsylvania Farmers Market – VDOT Commuter Lot
Spotsylvania Farmers Market-Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center
The Carytown Farmers Market
The Market at Southern Towers
Wakefield Farmers Market

Shop local this season, support your farmers, and enjoy your flavorful and fresh local produce! Where will you shop?