Botetourt Farmer’s Market reveals future plans
The Botetourt Farmer’s Market is preparing for future changes, President Mallory White told the Board of Supervisors at the July 26, 2022 meeting at the Botetourt County Administration Center at Greenfield.
The non-profit farmer’s market wants to relocate to another area of the Daleville Town Center (DTC) next year, since the property they have been using has been purchased and is slated for a restaurant construction soon.
“We hope to stay at Daleville Town Center,” White said. The farmer’s market group intends to purchase property in DTC and build a large market building complete with a commercial kitchen and public restroom facilities. The structure would be available for other uses during the week days, White noted.
Keeping the farmer’s market at Daleville Town Center would require significant fundraising, White said. Private donors interested in helping are welcome.
Botetourt County supports the farmer’s market annually with a $5,000 donation, according to information provided by Director of Communications Tiffany Bradbury. Buchanan District Supervisor Amy White (no relation) is one of the market vendors.
The Botetourt Farmer’s Market began about 15 years as a small group selling fruits and vegetables in the parking lot at Ikenberry’s Orchards and Country Store on US 220 in Amsterdam. The organization eventually moved to Daleville Town Center, where they have been for over a decade.
In 2021, the vendors made over $200,000, White told the Supervisors. The organization is on track to break that record this year. The market attracts an average of 600 people a week, with some events, like the recent Tomato Festival, attracting over 4,000 people in a single day.
The next big event is a Honey Festival on August 20, held in conjunction with the Botetourt Beekeepers Association.
“It’s wonderful to see the support growing for the market each and every week,” Supervisor Amy White said at the conclusion of White’s report.
— Anita Firebaugh, Special to The Botetourt Bee
