Farmers Market at Ix, Nov. 2, 2024
Here we are in the 11th month of 2024, heading into the holiday season. We look forward to giving thanks for this great assemblage of farmers, food producers, artists, and customers and the community we have built around this market. In spite of much of the chaos going around us from politics, to economics, to weather (draught to flooding rain and back again), the relationship between producers and customers has been pretty stable and mutually beneficial. We are so fortunate, and we do not take it for granted.
Market Central, the operators and caretakers of the Market at Ix, has been fortunate, too, in 2024, with grants from Sentara, The State of VA, USDA and EPA. As we end one season and move into the next, we will be working on improving programs in environmental sustainability, equitable business development, and farmers market sustainability for the future. It sounds vague now, but if any of our community members are interested in shepherding the market into the future, please consider serving on the Market Central nonprofit board. You can talk to us at the Market Central booth. it is a time of great opportunity for local markets.
It is a full market this week, with some fluctuations in the occasional vendors. First Saturday of the month means local grain and flour will be available from Deep Roots Milling, and tomato sauce from Nona’s Italian Cucina. Plenty of bakers with sweet and savory choices will be on hand, including the return of Crescent Moon Confections and Cookie Lane. Our reliable favorites, i.e. Bee Conscious, Little Hat Creek, Althea, Big Soup, Family Ties and Pies, Stroopwafels, Homestead Oven, Good Phyte, Baker No Bakery, Mr. Baker, Angel’s Afghan Cuisine, and Triple E are on the line-up. Yikes, that’s a lot of choice for baked goods! The Bubble Cloud girls, our young school-aged baking entrepreneurs, will be attending this week, too.
With the supposed cooler weather, Olive Branch gardens will return to baking their sourdough pizza’s on site. Great for breakfast!
Look for an increase in arts vendors, as some farm vendors bow out for the season. Orion Family Farms and Pies and Produce are out for now, but may return with holiday selections.
As usual, for more information, click on the market map, and on each vendor’s name for details.
See you at the market.