Farmers Market at Ix, May 2, 2026
Hours: 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Location: Ix Art Park, 522 Second St. SE, Charlottesville, VA Operators: Market Central, 501(c)3
The first market in May brings us past the last average freeze date for our area so it’s safe to buy your spring and summer garden plants. The whole month of May is perfect planting time, so take your time and browse the many farm vendors who also sell plant starts. Singing Earth, Little Hat Creek, Whisper Hill, Starstead , Lesley’s Garden, Encanto Homestead and Henley’s sell both ornamentals and food producing plants and herbs. Gathered Threads is also a good source for uncommon herbs.
Last week several vendors were sources for Strawberries: Agriberry, Encanto, Henley’s and Lesley’s Garden. It’s great to have choices. I have now tried 3 sources and varieties. They are all good! Asparagus, cucumbers, radishes, spinach, spring greens, beets and beet greens, parsley, and cilantro were seen at the market. The warming weather is an exciting time for new produce at the market.
The first Saturday of the month means Deep Roots Milling will be at the market to source your freshly ground flour and grain from VA. Besides wheat and rye, find oats, corn meal and grits. We also welcome Nine Willows. They were the original source of Tonoloway Farms maple syrup. Market Central is hosting several new small farms as part of our mission of supporting local farms and food. Open Path Farm and Nine Willows are new this year. In their second year are Two Hollows, Starstead, Oakshire Farm and Wanders Hill. Double H Farm is an established and highly regarded farm that has joined us for winter for several seasons, but will be with us full time this year. We do our best to fit everyone in. The Starr Hill Market opening on Sundays starting May 17 will serve as a great opportunity to host more and different farms, and for customers to have more choices. Check it out for an different vibe at the Jefferson School City Center. If you are interested in shaping local food choices and venues, please consider joining the Market Central Board. We need leaders in this field. As the country goes bankrupt and systems are broken, relying on and improving our own local solutions is critical.
This week, two Market Central staff members took in 8 hours of Food Safety Summit training, brought to us by the VA Farmers Market Association. We now have the latest from VDACS, VA Dept of Health, the State Fire Marshall, Hemp Regulations, Dairy regulations, and VA Extension. What a complicated and overwhelming mass of information!
All that said, we’re glad to have you at the market, and we hope to help you find healthy, nutritious and affordable food, and a few homesteading herbal and art products as well. Mothers Day is coming, and our select artisans can help you with that. Check out Instagram and Facebook for the artisan choices.
This Saturday, the vendors attending and their locations are linked below.