Farmers Market @ St. Stephen’s
St. Stephen’s Church hosts a year-round farmers market every Saturday.
The entire community is invited!
About the Market
Seasonal hours
8 a.m.-noon, May through September
9 a.m.-noon, October through April
Seasonal produce, eggs, poultry, meats, and flowers from local farms, local seafood, products such as bread, cheese, pasta, and other foods from local sources are available. In addition, the market features local artisans (jewelry, clothing, wooden toys, etc.), coffee, and much more. The Farmers Market @ St. Stephen’s is a self-supporting ministry of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.
The market is open for on-site sales, and many vendors also accept pre-orders and/or offer CSA shares.
Vendors accept SNAP and Virginia Fresh Match.
The Café @ St. Stephen’s and the May Fair House are open during the market.
Leashed, well-trained dogs are permitted at the market.
Why a farmers market at a church?
The Farmers Market @ St. Stephen’s seeks to connect our choices about the foods we buy and eat to our call to be stewards of God’s creation, as we build community and support local farmers.
The market’s goals include:
- connecting God’s call to environmental stewardship to the foods we eat, stewardship of resources, and reducing the carbon footprint of what we eat;
- building community by providing the city of Richmond and our local neighborhood with a healthy way to gather and connect with each other on a regular basis;
- educating patrons with practical ways to maintain the connection with the sources of their food; and
- helping fill the growing demand for fresh, locally grown and prepared foods in Richmond.
Patrons love our market because they can speak directly to the people who grow and produce their food, learning what methods and practices the farmer or producer uses, and getting tips about how to prepare the produce, eggs, meat, poultry and other goodies they find here. Many customers remark on the size of the market: it’s big enough to have what they need, but it’s not overwhelming. Free parking is available. Children are welcome.
Vendors at this Saturday’s Market
The list of vendors for the coming week is updated on Wednesday afternoons.
Check out this handy chart to see what produce is in season.
Agriberry Farm is gearing up for the holiday season with a large array of fresh apples, chestnuts, and cider. We hope you celebrate with us!
Broadfork Farm will have their Certified Naturally Grown salad mix, lettuce mix, head lettuce, rainbow chard, kale, microgreens, sweet salad turnips, sugar snap pea shoots, cabbage, carrots, butternut squash, and scallions. They will also have their naturally leavened bread, made from all Certified Organic ingredients and baked in their wood fired oven, in the following varieties: seed loaf, cranberry & pepitas loaf, raisin & cinnamon loaf, and baguettes, plus jars of cultured vegetables (sauerkrauts) from Gathered Threads Farm.
Bundy Heirloom Farm reminds you to preorder your Christmas desserts. Their dessert options are espresso crusted bourbon pecan pie, gingerbread cookie crusted sweet potato crackers pie, (gluten free) peanut butter cookie crusted chocolate chess pie, and citrus glazed apple-nut cake. They have tons of prepared foods like braised collard greens, kale, pimento cheese, spinach dip, sourdough bagels, sourdough garlic-rosemary focaccia, citrus vinaigrette, and a wide array of pickles and jams. They have plenty of fresh produce including collards, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, kennebec potatoes, sweet potatoes, murasaki sweet potatoes, honeynuts, delicata, butternuts, acorns, spaghetti squash, and great apples including Ambrosia, Staymen, Jonagold, Pink Lady, Black Arkansas, and Pippin. They are taking sign ups for our 2025 CSA, stop by Saturday to get more info or visit their website, www.bundyheirloomfarm.com.
Drumheller’s Orchard will have many varieties of apples grown in their orchard in Lovingston, VA, as well as doughnuts and apple cider!
Essential RVA Microgreens has greens in the Café @ St. Stephen’s for purchase. We will return in a limited capacity in January. Remember, online orders are also available through most of the week at EssentialRVA.square.site and elsewhere.
G. Flores Produce will be here with fresh vegetables this winter!
Haashrooms will be here with cultivated and foraged mushrooms and related products, such as coffees, teas, and salves.
James River Flowers will have peony CSA sign-ups for spring.
Liberty Tree Farm will have lettuce mix, butter lettuces, mache, endive, escarole, spinach, tatsoi, arugula, creasy greens, french sorrel, dandelion greens, kales, chard, collards, mustard, turnip greens, bok choy, chinese cabbage, beets, carrots, assorted radishes, kohlrabi, turnips, sweet potatoes, and herbs from their gardens. From the kitchen they will have dried herbs and seasonings, frozen roasted tomatoes, fire-roasted and smoked peppers and eggplant, and a variety of pestos.
Life in Bloom RVA Farm will be here beautiful winter blooms.
Emporia Rabbitry returns this week with rabbit meat and chicken eggs. Not sure how to prepare rabbit? Ask Al and Adriana for a recipe!
JJ’s Seafood will have seafood from the Northern Neck and Atlantic coast, plus sauces and more.
The Mayor will be here with wonderful breakfast sandwiches and seasonal sausage varieties.
Old Way Farm, located in King William County, Virginia raises 100% grass fed lamb, pastured raised chicken and turkey and pasture and forest raised Berkshire pork. Their poultry and pigs are given a non-GMO Project certified feed that exceeds organic feed standard in regards to residual herbicides and pesticides. Check out their website to pre-order for next week’s market and learn more about their farming practices.
Snyder Family Farm is your source for naturally pasture-raised grass fed beef, silvopasture pork, and eggs. Try our mouth-watering steaks and pork chops for the grill or sausage, bacon, and eggs for breakfast. For added convenience and faster service at the market, you can pre-order online. We look forward to serving you this weekend!
Cakes by Jen will have delicious bundt and bundelette coffee cakes in a variety of flavors. Ask for a sample, and see if there are holiday specials!
Europa Crust is a sourdough bread bakery located in downtown Richmond since 2021. We bake only bread using a 2-day, probiotic sourdough process with simple, natural ingredients. Our breads are more rustic and less processed than what you’ll find in a store. We make bread the way it was made centuries ago and it tastes like what real bread should taste like. And don’t let “sourdough” confuse you. It’s a process and doesn’t mean all our breads have a sour taste! Our Japanese Milk Rolls and Nissu Sweet Bread (a Finnish cardamom bread) are great examples of a sweeter bread. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions HERE and browse our web site.
Geescakes returns to the market this weekend just in time for the Christmas holiday. Pick up your favorite artisan miniature cheesecakes. Available flavors this weekend include eggnog, pumpkin, blueberry, raspberry, red velvet, chocolate, banana pudding, tiramisu, and classic vanilla. You can also pick up your last-minute stocking stuffer treats, including glitzy lollipops and cocoa bombs. See you at the market!
RVA Bakehouse will be at the market this weekend with all of your holiday favorites! Pre-orders are encouraged to ensure you are able to pick up what you need for your holiday. The Bakehouse will have fruitcake, holiday rolls, gingerbread loaves, gingerbread muffins, gingerbread cookies, gingerbread scones, pumpkin spice bars, spiced pecans, holiday sugar cookies, cinnamon rolls, and more. The Bakehouse will bring their full line up of sourdough, specialty breads and pastry. You can email orders to [email protected] or order online.
Virginia Bread Company will be at the market for the first time this weekend with croissants and other delicious pastries.
Artann’s returns this weekend with hummus, tabbouleh, white and whole-wheat pita bread, and more.
Better Breakfast will serve freshly grilled vegan breakfasts on Saturday morning!
Blue Bee Cider will be at the market for the first time with apple ciders made right here in town.
Dogtown Lounge is a one-woman, home-based maker of natural raw food and snacks for dogs and cats in Richmond, Virginia. For more info please visit her website.
JIMBONE Dry Rubs will have plenty of ready-to-go gifts and stocking stuffers to help you complete your holiday shopping. We can also help you bring ease and deliciousness to your holiday meals! Stop by to see us!
Leek & Thistle will have all your easy-to-heat entrees, soups and appetizers. To ensure availability and to reserve your gazpacho or Normandy chicken salad, please place an order at this link.
At My Empanada, we provide a diverse selection of options for families, including lunch boxes, party platters for special occasions, and a whole lot more. Visit their website here.
One Hive Farm has local honey and soy-wax candles in a variety of lovely scents.
Oro will be at the market with small-batch, fresh, artisan pasta and delicious sauces.
Owl Spoon Water Kefir will have gut-healthy and delicious water kefir in many flavors, from ginger to hibiscus to cherry, at the market this weekend.
Powhatan Chocolates will be at the market with delicious, locally-made chocolates. The’ll make a perfect gift for a loved one or yourself.
SoulSmith Kombucha is the only manufacturer of red ginseng kombucha in Richmond. They also make traditional Korean fermented food with kombucha such as kimchi, kimchi sauce, pickled pink ginger and pickled yellow ginger. Kombucha is known as ‘’The Elixir of Life.’’ Kombucha drinks have offered great health benefits beyond the physical level for thousands of years. SoulSmith makes deliciously refreshing and reenergizing Kombucha drinks with many great flavors. Please check out their website here. If you would like to preorder, please call or text at (804) 405-6501.
SouperChef G will have three delicious soups this week:
–Fisherman’s stew (gluten-free): this play on delicious cioppino stew from San Francisco is loaded with shrimp, fresh blue crab, Prince Edward Island mussels, Chesapeake Bay clams, and scallops simmered in a homemade seafood and tomato broth, with russet potatoes, vidalia onions, celery, and carrots. $12/pint or $23/quart
– Oysters Rockefeller stew: a delicious, deconstructed version of the classic appetizer made with Rappahannock oysters, applewood-smoked bacons, baby spinach, caramelized red onions, aged swiss cheese, a hint of sambuca, butter, flour, and cream. $12/pint or $23/quart
– Mushroom and brie soup: always a hit, especially around the holidays. Shitake, oyster, crimini, and button mushrooms combined with brie, butter, flour, mushroom stock, and more cream. You can also use this soup as a sauce. It’s great with pasta, rice, chicken, or beef, or in green bean casserole. $9/pint or $17/quart
“Unkol” Chuck’s Brunswick Stew has a fall and winter reminder for all Brunswick Stew customers: The official Brunswick Stew season has already begun, and lasts all the way through late April. Stock up while demand is a bit lower – Chuck typically has a waiting list from late September through all of April. ”Unkol” Chuck’s 100% chicken-breast-meat-only Brunswick Stew will be at the market this Saturday. Reserve your order by calling and leaving a voicemail or sending a text message to (434) 532-6658, or by emailing [email protected]. ”Unkol” Chuck’s Brunswick Stew is cooked in a 100-year-old, 55 gallon, cast-iron cauldron in Brunswick County, Virginia by a Brunswick County native.
Wandering Cow Farm will be here with handmade soaps, felted ornaments and other items made with wool from their farm, and meat.
Charles City Woodworks will be here with beautiful cheeseboards and cutting boards, a lovely addition to your kitchen.
Classy Accessories sells embroidered hand-towels perfect for any occasion, including the holidays!
DK Designs has plenty of options for last-minute gifts at this last market before Chanukah and Christmas! Dawn will be happy to help you find the perfect piece of jewelry or something hand embroidered. She will also have an assortment of notecards for any occasion.
Laura Heyward creates beautiful, hand-drawn cards, prints, and calendars.
It’s Christmas at Lovely To Look At jewelry! Handcrafted Christmas trees decorated with multicolored fairy lights are among the earrings, bracelets and necklaces featuring fruits of the earth and sea. Gift wrapping is complimentary. As usual, you’re welcome to bring your own jewelry to chat about repair, renovation, or redesign.
Shady Nook Alpacas sells beautiful scarves, hats, socks, teddy bears, and more, all made from soft alpaca fiber.
Wheatland Wares will be here for the last time until spring with beautiful, handmade ceramics, a perfect holiday gift.
Blade City will be here to sharpen your knives and garden tools.
Fresh, local food for all
SNAP and Virginia Fresh Match
Our market vendors are able to accept SNAP benefits as payment for eligible items. If you or a friend receive SNAP benefits, simply bring your EBT card to the welcome tent and our volunteers will help you exchange funds for tokens to spend at the market. You’ll also be able to receive matching funds from Virginia Fresh Match. For every dollar of your SNAP benefits you spend at the market, you’ll get another dollar from VFM absolutely free to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables. For example, if you spend $10 of your own SNAP benefits, you’ll receive another $10 for produce.
Most food items that are intended for home consumption can be purchase with SNAP benefits. These include:
- fresh fruits and vegetables
- meat, eggs, and seafood
- bread, cakes, and cookies
- soups and casseroles to heat and eat at home
- kombucha and water kefir
- olive oil and honey
- food-producing plants for your garden (tomato plant, lettuce plant, herbs, etc.)
These items cannot be purchased with SNAP:
- non-food items (jewelry, pottery, soap, etc.)
- hot foods (empanadas, breakfast sandwiches, etc.)
- cups of coffee
- ornamental plants (flowers, etc.)
Market staff, volunteers, and vendors can answer any questions.
Gleaning
In addition to selling their products to market customers, many market vendors donate their unsold produce, eggs, and other foods to St. Stephen’s for distribution through our Monday food pantry. Market volunteers visit produce and food vendors during the last half-hour of each market day and gather items the vendors wish to donate. They take the items into the parish house for refrigeration (if needed) and sorting. The next day, our pantry visitors have the opportunity to enjoy these items along with the shelf-stable canned, boxed, and bagged foods on our shelves.
Information for Vendors
The outdoor season is Saturday, April 6-Saturday, November 23, 2024. Hours are 9 a.m.-noon in April, 8 a.m.-noon May-September, and 9 a.m.-noon in October-November.
All additional information, including fees, needed paperwork, rules, etc. is listed in our rules and regulations, linked below. Please read the rules and regulations carefully before you apply.
We strongly encourage applicants to visit the market before applying. Contact market manager Anna Jones with any questions.
The winter season will be Saturday, November 30, 2024-Saturday, March 29, 2025. Hours will be 9 a.m.-noon. The application for winter is now open, and the application can be accessed here.
The application for the 2024 Christkindlmarket is also open. This holiday craft fair will be on Wednesday, December 4, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Christkindlmarket focuses on local artisans, so painters, ceramicists, candle makers, knitters, jewelers, etc. etc. are invited to apply. The application is available here.
Additional Opportunities
Volunteer at the Market
We’d love to have you! You may work one shift or more than one; you may work one Saturday a month, every week, or anything in between.
We will train you! This is a great way to meet people, to support the market, and get to know our wonderful vendors.