Capital Area Region

The Capital Area Region of farmers markets includes the City of Richmond and the Counties of Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Powhatan, Goochland, Charles City, and New Kent.

Farmers Market Managers in this area are supported by the Capital Area Farmers Market Association (CAFMA). After years of figuring stuff out on their own, the Richmond area farmers market managers decided it was time to start figuring stuff out together. In November 2014, Capital Area market managers met for the first time and immediately recognized the benefits of collaboration. Since their first meeting, they’ve become the Capital Area Farmers Market Association, an all-volunteer organization of area farmers markets working together to increase access to local food, expand opportunities for our local farmers and support the development of new local businesses. CAFMA believes everyone wins with a healthy thriving farmers market operating in their community.

CAFMA meets monthly the 2nd Monday of the month 10-11:30am at Feedmore, 1415 Rhoadmiller St., Richmond, VA 23220.  Everyone with an interest in local food and farmers markets is welcome to attend meetings.  Capital area market managers enjoy attending meetings to network and support one another, hear local speakers, learn about new enterprising ways to improve our markets and strengthen our local food system.

As part of CAFMA’s collaboration, they maintain a website with the most accurate information about the 24 area markets at http://www.backtothemarket.com/. The website lists markets by the day of the week and by locality including information such as market hours and months of the year the market is open, which markets accept SNAP, and has a map pinpointing market locations.

About the Capital Region Markets

The farmers markets in the Capital Area vary greatly, from one of the largest in the state – the South of the James Market with over 100 vendors – to some of the smallest, such as Wood’s Farmers Market with 6 vendors.  Some markets are in urban areas like the Carytown Farmers Market, others are more suburban like The Farmers Market at New Highland Baptist Church or rural like the Goochland Fairground Farmers Market. Each market has its own vibe, so it can be fun to visit multiple markets and find favorites.

With a high concentration of people surrounded by beautiful productive farmland, the majority of Capital Area farmers markets teem with fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and eggs throughout the market season.  Many markets have dairy, some markets include local artists and artisanal products such as soap.  We also have seven year-round farmers markets, selling greens, root vegetables, and apples until the first asparagus and strawberries arrive in April.  Area farmers markets are filled with baked goods and prepared foods, created by food entrepreneurs breaking into the Richmond area’s thriving local food/restaurant scene. With all that variety, it’s possible to shop exclusively at area farmers markets and find nearly everything needed to feed the family all week long, all year long.