RSS 2.0Recently, it has become popular in today’s society to “Go Green”. Lakeside Farmers’ Market is meeting that demand and then some in Henrico County. The Farmers’ Market is located on Lakeside Avenue near the corner of Lakeside and Hilliard where Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is located.
The Market provides healthy produce while making food shopping enjoyable. Instead of being in a jam-packed and highly priced supermarket, the Farmers’ Market allows customers to enjoy the outdoors while browsing for healthy food from personable vendors.
Peter and Sharon Francisco, who own the Lakeside Farmers’ Market, wanted to build community support while improving the appearance of Lakeside Avenue. The Market has a small town feeling where the vendors know their customers’ first name, though it is located at Lakeside Towne Center. Sharon told me that the vendors love their customers at the Market because the customers are so appreciative and some even thank the vendors for coming. This isn’t something that you can find at a larger scale Farmers’ Market.
Seeing the produce makes my mouth water and actually makes me want to eat my vegetables. Each session will include as many as 11 vendors to provide Henrico residents with home-grown, healthy produce. However, not all of the vendors sell organic products, but all try to maintain the integrity of their produce. I spoke with Mike Wiblin, the owner of Hanover Produce, who informed me that although he isn’t an organic farmer, he classifies himself as a “Traditional Grower”. Meaning he uses fertilizer when it is appropriate, and uses home grown pesticides. Also with Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden so close by, helps business at the Market by educating and encouraging the public to get involved with nature and help maintain a “Green” lifestyle.
The Farmer’s Market is building a strong foundation of repeat customers. On May 3rd, when it officially opened, the first 1,000 customers received reusable Lakeside Farmers’ Market shopping bags. This is “green friendly” while spreading the news about the Market around Henrico County and the outlying areas.
The market is open May through November on Wednesdays and Saturdays. On Wednesdays, it is open for two sessions from 8 a.m. to noon and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays will be open from 8 a.m. to noon.
Lindsay Silva is a PR/Marketing Intern at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden this summer.
Reader Comments:
local markets along with CSAs are a great way to eat organic and save money on gas too. check out the CSA article on GH-
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