The Farmers Market at Ix

Saturdays, 9am-1 pm

Market Central & Ix Art Park,

522 2nd St. SE., Charlottesville, Virginia

The Last Market of 2024 is December 23!

DECEMBER AT THE MARKET

The year isn't over yet! We still have another four markets to go and we are shivering with excitement (or is that the weather?). There are plenty of hot drinks and foods to keep your hands warm while you shop but that doesn't mean you don't need a new warm hat or scarf from the market (wink).

What's special about those handmade gifts from our local artisan community?

You know all about shopping locally and how it supports our city's economy, creates jobs, and builds relationships. We also see that when you buy at the farmers market you are valuing the work of the artisans. Thank you!

And what's more local than Cecile!?

Ask her to teach you the secret Cville handshake.

Gift Certificates for the Farmers Market at Ix

Available to purchase at the Market Central Booth on Saturdays. Ask for a certificate or market tokens in these cute little bags*! The $5 market tokens are accepted by all vendors and never expire!

*Limited supply of gift bags.

The Shopping list

Whether we have a snowy winter or not, the earlier nights make me look for warm comforting meals to end the day. Here are a few recipes sure to give you a good night's sleep. Great news! You can find most of the ingredients at the market this month! Oats, mushrooms, homemade pasta, squash, honey, pears, potatoes, beef, lamb, fresh herbs, tempeh, and more!

• One-Pot White Wine Pasta with Mushrooms and Leeks

• Roasted Honey Nut Squash and Chickpeas With Hot Honey

• Cinnamon Walnut Pear Crisp

• Classic Shepherd’s Pie

• Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie with Tempeh and Mushrooms

A Round of Applause, Please...

2023 Virginia Fresh Match Coupon

In 2023, Market Central has accepted over $26,000 of food assistance to be used at the market. SNAP transactions are completed at the Market Central booth and Virginia Fresh Match allows us to match each dollar of SNAP with a dollar for fresh fruits and vegetables!

If you are a SNAP customer and you have 2023 Virginia Fresh Match coupons, they will expire at the end of the year so consider using them in the next few weeks. There will be plenty of seasonal produce to choose from...greens, cabbage, root vegetables, apples, and more! Not sure how to prepare your produce? Ask the farmer!

We are partnering with Virginia Fresh Match again next year and will be distributing new coupons for 2024. Read the Virginia Fresh Match 2022 Impact Report here.

Thank you to Sentara! Market Central was awarded a $5,000 Sentara Cares grant to help with our SNAP program implementation, management, and community outreach.

Click here to watch our Sentara video!

Are you interested in sharing SNAP information with our community?

Let's let people know more about SNAP benefits, Virginia Fresh Match, and ways to access fresh food!

Market Central is hiring a SNAP Community Coordinator. Learn more here.

Farmers Market Online Ordering

Short on time? Some of our vendors have online stores that deliver to the Farmers Market at Ix. You can dash into the market for pick up or browse calmly knowing your items will be there for you.

Be sure to check the vendor's deadline for ordering! Your favorite vendor probably has an online store too! Check online and ask if your items can be brought to the market.

SNAP customers, ask to make arrangements for payment at the market and use your EBT card at the Market Central booth.

Just Food, Just Economy Update:

Workshops and classes have begun! Bread and Roses hosted a well-attended "Starting a Food Business 101" class last month, and will follow up in December with a series of Food Safety Classes (Cooking for Crowds, ServSafe Manager Certification, Food Handler certification). Most classes are free, and some scholarships are available for those with fees associated.



Learn more at Just Food Just Economy and follow the initiative on Facebook.

In collaboration with Bread and Roses community kitchen, Market Central was awarded a grant from the Virginia Food Access Investment Fund of $50,000 to develop food businesses and increase access to fresh food in Charlottesville.

If you received a $5 market token for bringing your reusable containers to the market, you can thank Southern Environmental Law Center our 2023 Greening the Market program sponsor! SELC has allowed us to improve our composting operations and offer reward programs for customers who create zero waste!

SNAP & Fresh Match

Market Central accepts SNAP at the Saturday Market, and matches up to $50 of your SNAP for fresh produce with Fresh Match! 

Virginia Fresh Match is supported by the USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program

Follow us on Instagram @Market_Central

Market Central is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax-deductible.