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Farmers' Market hitting goals

The Waynesboro Farmers’ Market is open each Wednesday through Oct. 29. (Rosanne Weber/staff)

By Bob Stuart
Published: July 25, 2008

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Waynesboro Farmers’ Market Board Chairman Jim Nichols said the market’s inaugural year is coming close to needed projections, and said the market could continue next year.
“We hope to continue the market depending on our revenue flow and any other fundraisers we might embark on,’’ Nichols said.
Held each Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Constitution Park Pavilion, the market has completed 14 of its scheduled 28 appearances. The market will run on Wednesdays through Oct. 29.
Nichols said there have been a total of 14 vendors appearing at the market, and eight to nine on any given Wednesday. The vendors come from Augusta and Nelson counties.
He said produce ranging from green beans to tomatoes, beets, potatoes, greens and lettuce are available.
“We also have a vendor who sells meat and eggs, and two bakers who sell breads and cookies,’’ Nichols said. “We have just about everything you could want to see in a farmers’ market.”
A grant obtained by Nichols from the Shenandoah Resource Conservation & Development Council has paid for the salary of a market manager, Heidi Lanford.
Nichols said what is needed most now is for people to patronize the Waynesboro Farmers’ Market.
He said the market’s goal is to support sustainable area agriculture and provide a weekly downtown event for people to attend.
Most of the other area farmers’ markets, including those in Charlottesville, Harrisonburg and Staunton, are open on Saturdays.
Waynesboro City Councilwoman Lorie Smith supports the market, and hopes it continues.
“The market offers a wonderful venue for folks and is a nice fit in downtown,’’ Smith said. “The market brings additional foot traffic to downtown and I’m hopeful after this first year it will pick up steam. I’ve told Jim that if they needed some support from council to feel free to talk to us about it.”