The Botetourt Farmers Market provides locavores plenty of choice

The Botetourt Farmers Market is open every Saturday from May until October.  It operates from 8:30 AM until 12:30 PM. There are between 15 and 20 vendors on any given Saturday.  Over the past 15 years, there have been several farmers markets in Botetourt. The  Botetourt Farmer’s Market has gone through several iterations. The current market has been at the Town Center as a 501C 3 non-profit for 6 years in various places on the site. For the last three years it has been located in the field across from the Bank of Botetourt. Vendors come from all the way  near Rockbridge/ Arcadia to the Salem area. Local markets are considered within a 100 mile radius.

It is a non-profit organization with a good mix of produce and craft vendors. Kevin Roberts the market manager said, “Mid-June through August are the busiest times for the market. The average Saturday sees anywhere from 200 to 270 customers.”

Check out the market. The vendors sell fruits and vegetables, canned goods, crafts, flowers, pottery, art work, farm raised beef, eggs and baked goods. Musicians and food trucks are often onsite. The Botetourt Farmers Market offers a BFM loyalty punch card to win a a $20 cash award each money. In order to give back to the community, The Botetourt  Farmers Market has held a Kids Day for the past 2 years. Each Kids Day event had over 900 people attend. It is their premier event.

Volunteers handle the market, there are no paid employees. No funding comes from the government or solicitations of the community. It is self sufficient.

The Botetourt Farmers Market is always needing more volunteers.  Roberts said, “To become a volunteer for the Farmers Market, email manager@botetourtfarmersmarket.com. Leave a message on the Botetourt Farmers Market Facebook page or stop by the market and talk to the manager.”

Photo: Sarah’s Petals sell flowers weekly from May through Oct.

Story and Photo by Cathy Benson