4 events will be held at the Market in September: Cooking Day, Pepper Day, 2nd Saturday Market, and the Apple Festival.
Cooking Days with Chef Jen are held the first Friday of the month, which is September 6. Jen will cook from 9:30 to 12:30. Enjoy free samples and learn fast, fresh recipes featuring market products. Donations are appreciated and help fund the Cooking Program. Recipes are posted on the website, independecefarmersmarket.org. Click on “news”.
Pepper Day is September 13 and features a free pepper tasting. While the selection isn’t quite as extensive as our tomato tasting, it’s a great way to taste lots of sweet and hot peppers. All peppers will be labelled and heat level indicated. Water will be available, but if you plan to eat lots of hot ones, bring your own milk or cheese. Dairy quenches the heat, water can just spread it around.
The final 2nd Second Saturday Market will be held Saturday, September 14 from 10am to 2pm. $5 of IFM Kids Bucks will be available to the first 20 kids to visit the Market booth and can be used to purchase anything at the Market.
The Apple Festival will be held Friday September 20 during the regular Friday Market from 9am to 1pm. The Market will be pressing apples and offering fresh cider as a fundraiser. Here’s your chance to support the market and enjoy delicious cider. The Festival also features an Apple Dessert Contest. As long as it features apples, any dessert is welcome. Entries are judged on appearance, taste, and the degree to which apples are the primary focus. Please bring your entry to the Market by 9am. Please be sure that your name is attached to the bottom of your dish so it can be returned to you. Judging will begin at 9:30. Winners will be announced once the judging is complete. First prize is $100, 2nd prize $30 and 3rd is $20. Desserts will be sold by the slice as a fundraiser for the Market.
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 regular Friday 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. In addition, the Market welcomes WIC and Senior Farmers Market coupons.
For more information, please contact Michelle Pridgen, Market Manager at [email protected] or 276-768-0597. Events are also listed on the Market webpage, independecefarmersmarket.org and facebook