The IFM is pleased to announce our 3 upcoming Winter Markets. We have added a pre-Thanksgiving Market to our traditional Green Friday Market, the Friday after Thanksgiving and our December Market that always falls on the first Saturday in December to coincide with the Town of Independence Holiday events. All Markets run 11am to 2pm and will be held in Town Park. IFM Kids Bucks are back for all 3 markets for the 1st 20 kids to the managers tent and we’ll have free kids activities. Dec 7 is also the day for the Free Market gift shop. Read more about it in the next item in the newsletter!
The Thanksgiving Market on the 22nd was added to give customers another opportunity to shop for delicious local food and crafts to make their Thanksgiving extra special. Don’t forget to pre-order your turkey, chicken or duck on the online market! There is still time to order your pesticide-free trees and wreaths from Brookgreen Farm as well. Just put trees and or wreaths in the search bar. All sizes for trees and wreaths are listed, just use the drop-down menu. Here’s the link.
The 2nd Winter Market on November 29 features the Chili Cookoff. It is free to enter and the public is invited to taste all the chilis for $5 and vote for their favorite. Bring your entry to the Market by 10am in a crockpot, preferably already warm. Please be sure that your name is attached to the bottom of your dish so it can be returned to you. Winners will be announced at 1:30. This is a People’s Choice contest, so your vote determines the winner! First prize is $100. 2nd and third place winners will receive ribbons.
The December 7th Market is held in conjunction with Town of Independence events. In addition, The Free Market holds it’s annual Free Christmas Shop at the Gate Center on Davis Street from 11am to 3pm. The Shop is open to children ages 5-14 from 11-1pm. “Elves” will be available to help kids chose 3 gifts. Everyone is welcome to make their gift selections after 1pm. The Free Market and the IFM are both projects of Grayson LandCare.
The Independence Farmers Market is a proud partner of Grayson LandCare, a member of VAFMA and is on the Virginia is for Lovers Farmers Market trail. The On-line and outdoor Farmers Markets welcome Snap and EBT and offer up to a $30 match for SNAP purchases to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. This grant funding is provided by the Gus Schumaker Nutrition Incentive network and is part of the Virginia Fresh Match program. For more information, please contact Michelle Pridgen, Market Manager at [email protected] or 276-768-0597. Events are also listed on the Market webpage, independencefarmersmarket.org and the Facebook page