Our Mission
Market Central supports local farms, farmers markets, and entrepreneurs by connecting them to the community to benefit our health, the environment, the local economy, and to promote social and cultural diversity.
We are passionate about the roles that a local, public market can play in a community as:
• A source for fresh, local foods
• A supporter of environmentally friendly practices
(Keeping farms sustainable prevents rural development)
• A driver of the economy and job creation
• A business incubator
• A social gathering place and cultural exchange
• A venue for local artisans
Our History
Market Central, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was founded in 2003 to engage the Charlottesville community through educational programs and outreach. In the past, we collaborated with the City of Charlottesville and philanthropic organizations throughout the market season to provide support services that increase access to local food throughout the community.
Now at the Farmers Market at the Ix Art Park, we give customers access to SNAP and Fresh Match coupons, or debit/credit card tokens to shop at the markets. Since 2018, Market Central and the IX Art Park Foundation co-sponsor and mange the Winter Farmers Market at IX Art Park, which runs from the second week in January to the 3rd week of March. In 2020, the Farmers Market at IX was extended into the spring and summer to prevent disruption in access to local food. during the Covid pandemic.
Market Central relies on donations from those vested in local food. Your contribution helps support our programming to continue to provide an exchange between the community and local producers and a venue for future markets. We research best practices at markets and in food access programs to advocate for a market in the future that will be sustainable, reliable, and will meet the needs of everyone who wants to access local food. If you wish to donate, you can do so through this link.
Our Policies
1. Promote the value of local and sustainably raised farm products sold at Charlottesville farmers markets. We increase access to education, reach out to the community, and develop a market currency system.
2. Support all people having access to the healthiest food in the community. Sponsoring the SNAP and Fresh Match nutrition assistance programs, and market currency is a part of our outreach program.
3. Maintain accountability and sustainability of our organization. We are committed to education, fundraising, and financial support to sustain and grow our programs.
4. Support continuing improvements and services to the market community by researching and implementing innovative ideas and programs. Vendors are vital to a market’s existence and character, so Market Central advocates for fair and transparent rules of vendor participation and Market governance, which includes some level of vendor participation in self-governance.
5. Coordinate with other non-profits to achieve maximum results for our stakeholders, and to minimize overlap of services.