We’re Back!

Hello, everyone! It has been a while since our last newsletter, so let’s start with an overview of what Market Central has been up to during our hiatus. First, our Farmer’s Market at Ix is in full swing! As we move into the summer months, the produce offered at market is bountiful. Since our last newsletter, we have welcomed a few new members to our team. Maggie is our new Marketing Director, Tim is our new Compliance Manager for our market at Ix and Starr Hill market Co-Manager, Jess is our Bookkeeper, and Shakaya is the Piedmont Regional Lead for the Virginia Fresh Match Program. When you see them at the market, say hello!

Secondly, our Starr Hill market is now open every Sunday at the Jefferson School City Center. Sunday, June 14th will be our 5th week, and we are still searching for more produce vendors, so spread the word and come visit us under the oak trees every Sunday 9:30am-1:30pm. More information on the Starr Hill market can be found below.

The Market Central Board is the 501(c)3 organization that keeps Market Central on legal footing to be able to operate the Farmers Market at Ix, the Starr Hill Market, the SNAP and Virginia Fresh Match state and federal food access programs, and to be able to accept grant funding for non-profits. Market Central, officially established in 2002, has relied on many board directors over the years to keep our programs going. We are the first organization to operate independent, non-governmental farmers markets in Charlottesville. Over the years, board members have taken many training courses and certifications. We are members of market affiliated groups such as Project for Public Space, the Market Pros, the Farmers Market Coalition and the Center for Non-profit Excellence where we learn about best practices and innovations in farmers market management. Our board is open to the public for participation and meetings. Besides operating the two markets, we are focused on securing our markets for the future: to be equitable, sustainable, and self-reliant, and to be resilient in the face of climate change so that the community can continue to access local food. That means we must generate and keep our own funds, and invest in our infrastructure, which may include securing a permanent home where we may invest in site improvements for adverse weather conditions and improved vendor and customer services.

Feel free to contact us at any time by email to join the board, ask questions, give ideas or feedback to help prepare and protect the markets for the future!

2026 Board Members:

Daniel J Doherty
Elizabeth Rhiner
Ben Stowe
Tim Showalter-Ehst
Rissa Tutia
Maxwell Grosse
Laura Jarrell
Scott McNally
Cecile Gorham

Spotlight on Starr Hill: Building Community Through Local Food

By: Tim Rupnarain

While many Charlottesville residents know Market Central through our Saturday market at IX Art Park, we are excited to continue growing the Starr Hill Farmers Market, held every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Jefferson School City Center.

As Charlottesville's only Sunday farmers market, Starr Hill creates an important opportunity for local farmers and food producers to connect with customers, build new relationships, and expand their businesses. At the same time, the market helps increase community access to fresh, locally grown food and supports Market Central's broader mission of building a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient food system throughout Charlottesville and Central Virginia.

The location itself makes this work especially meaningful. For generations, the Jefferson School served as the educational and cultural heart of Charlottesville's African American community. Today, we are honored to host the market at the Jefferson School City Center and view our work as one small way of contributing to that legacy by creating opportunities for local growers, entrepreneurs, and community members to come together around food. We are particularly excited about opportunities to support emerging and smaller-scale farmers throughout the region, especially Black, Latino, women, and other historically underrepresented growers. By creating accessible pathways to market participation, we hope to help farmers build customer relationships, grow sales, and establish a stronger presence within our local food economy.

As Juneteenth approaches, this commitment feels especially timely. On Saturday, June 20, 2026, the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center will host its Juneteenth Celebration and 10th Annual Black Business Expo, a day-long event celebrating Black-owned businesses, entrepreneurship, and community leadership through live performances, local vendors, panel discussions, and a business pitch competition supported by the Community Investment Collaborative (CIC). We encourage our community to join in supporting this important event and the many local businesses and organizations helping to strengthen our region.

One of the most important aspects of the Starr Hill Farmers Market is its commitment to food access. Like our Saturday market at IX Art Park, Starr Hill accepts SNAP/EBT benefits and participates in Virginia Fresh Match, helping families stretch their food budgets while purchasing fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. These programs not only increase access to nutritious food but also ensure that federal food assistance dollars are invested directly into our local farming community. As we continue growing the market, expanding participation in these programs remains a key priority. Every purchase made at Starr Hill supports local farmers and food producers, while helping strengthen a food system that is more equitable, resilient, and accessible to all members of our community.

This work recently received an important vote of confidence through a $7,000 grant award from the Bama Works Fund of the Dave Matthews Band, a charitable endowment housed at the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (CACF). The funding will help Market Central continue expanding food access initiatives, support local growers, and strengthen Charlottesville's only Sunday farmers’ market as a welcoming and inclusive gathering place for the entire community. This year, CACF received 174 grant applications requesting more than $1.7 million in funding. Ultimately, nearly $900,000 was awarded to 158 nonprofit organizations across the region. We are honored that the Starr Hill Farmers Market was selected among this highly competitive group of recipients, reflecting the growing recognition of the market's role in expanding food access, supporting local farmers, and strengthening community connections. While grant funding provides important support, the long-term success of Starr Hill depends on continued community participation. Every shopper, every vendor, and every visit helps sustain a market that is creating meaningful opportunities for farmers, increasing access to local food, and building stronger connections across Charlottesville and Central Virginia.

Whether you visit to purchase fresh produce, use SNAP/EBT or Virginia Fresh Match benefits, support local farmers, or simply connect with neighbors, your participation helps ensure that Starr Hill continues to grow as a vibrant and accessible community resource for years to come!

Vendor Spotlights

Grain Story Bakery

By: Maggie Kunkel

Our vendors show up each week, rain or shine, to support our market and share their products with the community, so moving forward we want our newsletter to shine the spotlight on their stories! Our vendor highlights will give you some background information on each vendor, and highlight their passion for what they do. All in all, we want to bring their stories to life!

First up, Grain Story Bakery! Joseph Kim started Grain Story Bakery, a cottage bakery located in Staunton, Virginia focusing on naturally leavened breads & pastries made with stone-milled flour onsite. The varieties of grain they use are carefully selected for their genetic potential, resulting in a greater depth of flavor. Grain Story Bakery is all about showcasing the unique flavor profiles of high-quality grains, highlighting the stories of farmers, millers, and bakers. In the words of Grain Story, “Grains have their unique story too!”.

Joseph Kim, the founder of Grain Story Bakery, is highly passionate about sourcing grains that have more genetic potential for flavor, and sharing his knowledge with the community. In his words, “It all starts with understanding the genetics of the grain”. He carefully studies the origin and history of each grain variety to gain a better understanding of the genetics. Next, he will conduct a test bake, focusing on flavor and baking performance. All of the grains are freshly milled using a stone mill each week in an effort to preserve the flavor profile and nutrition of the grain. When you purchase a loaf of bread from Grain Story, you know you are getting a high-quality loaf that has been carefully crafted with you in mind!

Another crucial piece in the Grain Story puzzle is that all of their breads are naturally leavened, meaning they do not use any commercial yeast to leaven their loaves. Joseph explained that the legend of sourdough started in ancient Egypt where someone forgot a grain porridge or some form of dough on a hot day. When they saw the mixture bubbling, they decided to bake it, and thus, sourdough was born! Grain Story Bakery makes their starter using high-quality, stone-milled flour that contains naturally-occurring yeast and bacteria. This fermentation process results in an unmatched flavor profile, easier digestion, and greater nutrition absorption.

As you can see, Joseph is highly passionate about sourcing the best grains for his loaves, and his dedication shines through in his product. Next time you’re visiting the Farmer’s Market at Ix, stop by Grain Story’s tent to say hello, buy a loaf, or just learn more about each grain’s story!

RVPBAR

By: Tim Rupnarain

For Sean Simmons, founder of RVPBAR, the journey to creating a clean, plant-based energy bar began with a setback.

In 2017, a serious injury forced the competitive ultra runner to step away from training and focus on recovery. During that process, Sean became increasingly interested in the role nutrition plays not only in healing, but also in overall performance and well-being. What started as a personal search for healthier food options gradually evolved into a larger vision.

That vision took shape during the COVID-19 pandemic. As more people relied on takeout and processed convenience foods, Sean found himself searching for a quick, healthy snack that was simple, satisfying, and made with ingredients he could trust. When he couldn't find exactly what he was looking for, he decided to create it himself.

In 2024, RVPBAR was born.

Made with plant-based ingredients sourced from sustainable suppliers, RVPBAR is designed to provide clean nutrition without sacrificing taste. The bars are never baked, helping preserve the nutritional value of their ingredients, and are packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients to support active lifestyles. Today,RVPBAR offers three varieties —Oats, Peanut Butter, and Coconut— but simplicity remains at the heart of the business. In fact, the company's cleanest option, the Oats Bar, contains just three ingredients: dates, oats, and sea salt.

Recently, Sean put that simplicity to the ultimate test.

While planning a trip to Bali, Indonesia, Sean originally had a very different goal in mind. After years of considering a full-sleeve tattoo, he discovered that the combined cost of traveling to Bali and working with a highly regarded tattoo artist there would still be less expensive than completing the project in the United States. What began as a tattoo trip soon turned into something much more adventurous.

While in Bali, Sean entered the BTR Ultra 106K, one of Asia's premier mountain ultramarathons. The demanding course covered approximately 65 miles and more than 23,000 feet of elevation gain, climbing Mount Agung, the island's largest volcano. Sean completed the race in 26 hours, finishing 29th out of 198 participants in a field where only about half the runners reached the finish line.

For endurance athletes, nutrition can make or break a race. Throughout the event, Sean relied heavily on the same Oats Bars he produces right here in Charlottesville. Made with nothing more than dates, oats, and sea salt, the bars provided the steady energy he needed while avoiding the stomach issues that often plague runners during extreme endurance events.

In fact, Sean noted that he could feel a noticeable difference in both his energy levels and overall performance based on how consistently he consumed the bars throughout the race. During the early stages, when he was fueling regularly, he felt strong, focused, and able to maintain a competitive pace. Later in the race, as his intake decreased, he noticed corresponding declines in energy and endurance.

According to Sean, stomach issues are one of the most common challenges endurance athletes face. Many commercial energy products contain artificial ingredients, preservatives, or additives that can be difficult to tolerate during prolonged physical exertion. His goal with RVPBAR has always been to offer a simpler alternative built around real food and recognizable ingredients.

And yes, Sean did eventually get the tattoo. Just days after completing the race, he spent roughly 20 hours over three days in the chair at Lumina Tattoo Studio, a renowned Bali-Based studio known for its large-scale custom artwork. By the end of the trip, he returned home with both an ultramarathon finish and the full-sleeve tattoo he had been planning for nearly a decade.

But this wasn’t just any tattoo. The full-sleeve design depicts the very trail he had just completed across Mount Agung. Inspired by his personal passion for drawing, Sean first sketched the concept himself before collaborating with the artist to bring it to life. The finished piece now serves as a permanent reminder of the challenge, perseverance, and adventure that took him halfway around the world.

Although RVPBAR officially launched in 2024, the company is already gaining traction throughout the region. In addition to the IX Art Park and Starr Hill Farmers Markets, RVPBAR can be found at UVA dining locations, the Harrisonburg Farmers Market, Ram City Market in Richmond ,Union Kitchen in Washington, D.C., and several other retail partners.

For Sean, however, this is only the beginning. His long-term vision is to make clean, plant-based nutrition more accessible to people whether they live, work, and train. He hopes to continue expanding distribution throughout Virginia and beyond, with aspirations of one day seeing RVPBAR on the shelves of major retailers such as Whole Foods and Wegmans.

Sean laughs when talking about that goal. “If we make it into Wegmans,” he jokes, “then we’ve really made it.”

Until then, he remains grateful for the support of the Charlottesville community that helped launch the business and continues to fuel its growth. Sean continues to share RVPBAR with customers throughout the Charlottesville community, offering a simple philosophy: real ingredients, thoughtfully sourced, can fuel everything from everyday life to extraordinary challenges.

Whether you're training for your next race, recovering after a workout, or simply looking for a clean and satisfying snack, be sure to stop by the RVPBAR booth and meet Sean at the market!

Spice Up Your Life: Seasonally Inspired Summer Flavors!

Pesto, Pesto, and More Pesto!

Do you find yourself overwhelmed by the abundance of seasonal produce at the market? That’s where we come in. Whether you are trying patty pan squash for the first time, or just want some ideas to spice up your pesto game, here are some recipe ideas you can use to turn your produce into something delicious!

One of the things that I look forward to most during the summer growing season is fresh pesto. Pesto is a go to in our house because it's delicious, easy to make, and easily customizable! Do you have an excess of garlic scapes in the freezer you need to use up? Make this Garlic Scape Pesto to pair with your lunch or dinner for that classic pesto brightness, but with an added kick. Do you have carrot tops going in the compost? Try this Carrot Top Pesto recipe to make the most of your kitchen scraps!

Squash 3 Ways!

Another summer staple is summer squash! Whether it’s zucchini, yellow squash, or patty pan, summer squash makes for an easy and nutritious addition to any meal. Summer squash is a go-to in our house because of its versatility. You can roast it, grill it, saute it, or even bake with it! Is your garden producing more zucchini than you can keep up with? Try this Zucchini Bread recipe to make the most out of your harvest! You can enjoy it fresh, but it also freezes well so you can have a taste of summer whenever you like! Are you looking for a new addition to add to your cookout? Try this simple Grilled Squash Recipe ! Are you new to patty pans, or simply want to switch it up? Try this Stuffed Patty Pan Squash recipe for a well-rounded and nutritious weeknight meal!

Upcoming Community Events

Juneteenth Celebrations | June 19th
Fae Festival | June 20th - 21st
Virginia Theatre Festival | June 20th - July 26th
Monticello Wine Week | June 22nd - 28th
Scottsville Fridays on the Canal | June 26th
Charlottesville Opera ‘Cinderella’ | June 26th - 28th
Super Saturday in the Garden! - America the Beautiful | June 27th

Curious About How You Can Support Our Organization?

Supporting Market Central

Market Central advocates for local food access, farmers markets, and strong connections between local producers and the community. We rent our market space from the Ix Art Park, and manage the Farmers Market at Ix to ensure the community has access to local food, and to help the producers develop sustainable businesses, doing the work they love year round. Through sharing international flavors and traditional foods & culture, customers and vendors can forge bonds of goodwill and friendship.

Funding is needed to sustain good management, marketing efforts, and general expenses. The Market Central team conducts research and participates in training programs about farmers market management, food safety regulations, and local food system functions to ensure we are bringing best practices to the local level, and equitably extending opportunities to entrepreneurs.

The Farmers Market at Ix is Charlottesville’s first market in 50 years that is not controlled by city government, but rather by the community of vendors, customers, and non-profit boards.Your donation will help support Market Central’s work without impacting food prices. We invite you to participate in planning the future of access to local food, arts, and entrepreneurs in our community! A tax-deductible donation to Market Central is an investment in your community market.

Donate

Keep Going Together Incentive Program

Keep Going Together (KGT) is a grassroots organization working to ease suffering in the Charlottesville community through mutual aid. When food access is threatened, we believe it’s not enough to offer one-time charity—we must show up for one another consistently. Community means interdependence.

KGT partners with Market Central at the Farmers Market at Ix to help address gaps in food access through a community-supported incentive fund. This fund provides participating families with additional support to purchase fresh, locally produced foods at the market.

Originally launched during the 2025 holiday season in response to disruptions in benefits, the program began by offering staple items like locally baked bread and fresh eggs. Thanks to strong community support, the program has continued to grow and evolve.

The KGT incentive fund helps participating families access a wider range of locally grown and produced foods—while ensuring farmers and producers are paid full price for their products.

A small donation can make a meaningful impact—supporting both our neighbors and the local food system. This is mutual aid in action: caring for people and sustaining our community at the same time.

Donations are made through Market Central, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and are tax-deductible.

Donate to KGT Incentive Fund