Throughout Charlottesville & Central Virginia, there are a plethora of vibrant farmers markets and farmstands that make fresh meat, seasonal produce, and handcrafted products available to anyone who wants to taste or experience the goodness that the area’s makers have to offer. At each one, buyers can expect to find friendly faces alongside all of the incredible bounty that Virginia’s farmers are producing. Visit our CF Family Events Calendar for market special events.
Charlottesville & Central VA Farmers Markets
Albemarle Farmers Market
This Charlottesville Market is open throughout spring and summer and even offers two holiday markets, with one in November and one in December.
- Day of the week: Saturdays
- Time of year: Early May – Mid-September
- Location: Hollymead Towncenter Plaza
- Types of products: Fresh produce, meats, baked goods, crafts
- Specialties: Local meats, artisanal cheeses, organic vegetables
- Specific farmers/vendors: An abundance of local farmers and artisans
- Logistics: Ample parking nearby; picnic areas available
Charlottesville City Market
The city’s oldest market open up each Saturday morning, spring through fall, to offer up local goods right on Water Street. There’s also a holiday market from late November into December until just before Christmas.
- Day of the week: Saturdays
- Time of year: April through November
- Location: Downtown Charlottesville
- Types of products: Organic produce, flowers, crafts
- Specialties: Organic heirloom vegetables, artisanal breads
- Specific farmers/vendors: Local organic farmers and artisans
- Logistics: Street parking available; music and food trucks
Crozet Farmers Market
This downtown market features loads of local goods and the vendor fees are used to support local food banks.
- Day of the week: Saturdays
- Time of year: Spring through fall
- Location: Behind the Blue Good Building in Crozet’s downtown
- Types of products: Fresh produce, meats, baked goods
- Specialties: Local wines, baked treats
- Specific farmers/vendors: Crozet-area growers and bakers
- Logistics: On-site parking; family-friendly activities
Earlysville Farmers Market
In the heart of Earlysville at Buck Mountain Episcopal Church, local makers sell their goods on Thursdays, making it easy to stock up for the weekend.
- Day of the week: Thursdays
- Time of year: Spring through fall
- Location: 4133 Earlysville Road, Earlysville
- Types of products: Seasonal fruits, vegetables, breads, meats, crafts
- Specialties: Handcrafted jewelry, organic vegetables
- Specific farmers/vendors: Earlysville-area artisans and farmers
- Logistics: Parking available; small-town charm
Eastern Orange Farmers Market
This market in the eastern portion of Orange County offers lots of local goods and is a scenic drive from Charlottesville.
- Day of the week: Sunday
- Time of year: April – October
- Location: Locust Grove Town Center
- Types of products: Fresh produce, bread, plants
- Specialties: Herbs, fruits, vegetables
- Specific farmers/vendors: Local growers
- Logistics: Ample parking; family-friendly atmosphere
“The biggest thing you can do is understand that every time you’re going to the grocery store, you’re voting with your dollars. Support your farmers’ market. Support local food. Really learn to cook.” – Alice Waters
Farmers in the Park
With a new location at Pen Park in 2024, this market offers mid-week shopping for anyone eager to shop and gather during the week.
- Day of the week: Wednesdays
- Time of year: May through September
- Location: Pen Park, Charlottesville
- Types of products: Seasonal produce, baked goods, beverages, cut and potted flowers
- Specialties: Prepared meals
- Specific farmers/vendors: Local organic farmers and artisans
- Logistics and activities: Street parking available; community gathering; yoga
Greene Farmers Market
This market that operates all year features food from a number of local farms and offers an abundance of parking.
- Day of the week: Saturdays
- Time of year: Year-round; check for winter hours
- Location: Greene Commons (behind the Greene County Office Building at 40 Celt Road)
- Types of products: Seasonal produce, crafts
- Specialties: Prepared food, coffee
- Specific farmers/vendors: Greene County growers and artisans
- Logistics: Ample parking; community-centered
The Market at Ix
This market in Downtown Charlottesville’s quirky art park delivers big on flavor and fashion. You can often find special events from an arts & crafts table to costume contests that the kids will enjoy.
- Day of the week: Saturdays
- Time of year: May through October, holiday season
- Location: Ix Art Park, Charlottesville
- Types of products: Fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, prepared foods
- Specialties: Produce, cut flowers
- Specific farmers/vendors: Albemarle County
- Logistics: Parking available plus on nearby streets; artsy urban park setting
Madison Farmers Market
This market in rural Madison County showcases the goodness of the area’s growers and producers from spring to fall while also offering two holiday market dates.
- Day of the week: Saturdays
- Time of year: May through October
- Location: Hoover Ridge Park, Madison
- Types of products: Fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs
- Specialties: Produce, cut flowers
- Specific farmers/vendors: Madison-area farmers and florists
- Logistics: Parking available; scenic park setting
Nelson Farmers Market Cooperative
This decades-old farmers market offers up numerous locally made goods to the community to the backdrop of music from local performers.
- Day of the week: Saturdays
- Time of year: May through October
- Location: 3079 Rockfish Valley Highway
- Types of products: Fresh produce, meats, coffee, kombucha, crafts
- Specialties: Baked goods, vegetables, meats, farmstead cheeses
- Specific farmers/vendors: Nelson County growers and cheesemakers
Logistics: Parking available; live music events
Orange Farmers Market
This weekly market in the town of Orange has small-town charm and plenty of locally produced goods to peruse on a Saturday morning.
- Day of the week: Saturdays
- Time of year: May through October (with select closures in September)
- Location: Short Street in the town of Orange (Beside the depot)
- Types of products: Fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, meat
- Specialties: Produce and meats
- Specific farmers/vendors: Orange-area farmers and food artisans
- Logistics: Parking available; family-friendly park setting
Scottsville Farmers Market
This vibrant market in the heart of Scottsville is a rain-or-shine event that features all of the locally made goodness from the area.
- Day of the week: Saturdays
- Time of year: April – October
- Location: Market Square Pavilion (next to Dorrier Park)
- Types of products: Seasonal produce, meats, crafts
- Specialties: Fresh herbs, handmade jewelry
- Specific farmers/vendors: Scottsville-area growers and artisans
- Logistics: Parking available; riverside charm
Farmstands in Central Virginia
In addition to farmers’ markets, Central Virginia boasts numerous farmstands that offer direct-from-farm products often right on their premises.
5 Rider’s
Locally owned in Orange, this farm’s shop offers an abundance of goods right from their farm.
- Location: 3849 Twymans Mill Rd, Locust Dale, VA
- Types of products: Fresh fruits, meats, vegetables, eggs
- Specialties: Meats, produce
- Logistics: Parking available on-site; family-friendly atmosphere
Barracks Road Farm Market
A more recent addition to Charlottesville, this market is owned by the family that started Yoder’s over two decades ago.
- Location: 2775 Barracks Rd, Charlottesville, VA
- Types of products: Fresh vegetables, baked goods, meats, eggs, plants
- Specialties: Homemade baked goods, seasonal produce
- Logistics: Parking available
Chiles Orchard
This well-known spot is a go-to for local goodness and offers pick-your-own experiences.
- Location: Batesville
- Types of products: Fruit, vegetables, baked goods
- Specialties: Pick-your-own fruit, apple cider donuts
- Logistics: Ample parking; family-friendly orchard experience
Darnell’s
This shop right in the town of Orange offers fresh plants, an abundance of seasonal vegetables, plenty of packaged local goods like jams and sauce, and an array of crafts and decorative home goods.
- Location: Town of Orange
- Types of products: Fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers
- Specialties: Seasonal fruits and vegetables, plants
- Logistics: Ample parking; farm store with local crafts
Deer Run Produce
This popular spot features their own produce but it also welcomes vendors like coffee roasters, food trucks, and purveyors of locally made ice cream.
- Location: 16780 Mountain Rd, Montpelier, VA
- Types of products: Seasonal fruits, vegetables, cheese
- Specialties: Meats, produce
- Logistics: Parking available; scenic rural setting
Miller Farms Market
Get involved in a CSA with the market or just stop in for regionally produced cheeses, fruits and vegetables, coffee, eggs, or even a Christmas tree in season.
- Location: 12101 Orange Plank Rd, Locust Grove, VA
- Types of products: Seasonal produce, meats, and cheeses
- Specialties: Honey, pumpkins, turkeys
- Logistics: Ample parking; farm store with local goods
Three Springs Farm
This 23-acre farm in Madison focuses on meats but also offers other goods that you can pick up or have shipped.
- Location: 3091 Orange Rd, Aroda, VA
- Types of products: Meats, spices, dairy
- Specialties: Beef, pork, lamb
- Logistics: Limited parking; scenic farm setting
Yoders Country Market – Madison
This conveniently located market offers plenty of fresh produce and dairy along with baked treats and local meats like Kite’s Ham. Shoppers can even settle in for a hearty sandwich or soup from the in-store deli.
- Location: 2105 S Seminole Trail, Madison, VA
- Types of products: Produce, dairy, flowers, jams, meats, cheese, sandwiches
- Specialties: Baked goods, seasonal produce
- Logistics: Ample parking; rural farm stand vibe
Enjoy lots more family fun in Richmond and Central Virginia with these great day trip guides – Zoos & Aquariums, Historic Attractions, Interactive Kids Museums, Richmond’s Science Museum, swimming pool guide, County Fairs in Central Virginia, Guide to Water Parks and more!
