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 raspberries are still going strong despite the recent cold. Expect them to be shining on their tables as always! Apples are also in full swing, we will have a large of varieties from sweet, to tart, to unique, you’re sure to find one to be the you-know-what of your eye.
Broadfork Farm will have their Certified Naturally Grown salad mix, arugula, head lettuce, rainbow chard, kale, microgreens, sweet salad turnips, radishes, sugar snap pea shoots, cabbage, green peppers, cilantro, and dill. 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. It will be worth your while to work around marathon road closures so you can load up on your vegetables for the week! Or – visit us after 10:00am when roads around the market open back up.
Broadfork Farm has lost thousands of plants due to the excessive rain in September. You’ll see that reflected on their market table. They will harvest as much as possible for this Saturday’s market, and they hope to have their Certified Naturally Grown salad mix, head lettuce, rainbow chard, kale, microgreens, sweet Italian bullhorn peppers, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, and basil. 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, pumpernickel, raisin & cinnamon loaf, and baguettes, plus jars of cultured vegetables (sauerkrauts) from Gathered Threads Farm.
Bundy Heirloom Farm reminds you to pre-order your Thanksgiving desserts for pick up on November 23. They have tons of fresh produce including collards, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, kennebec potatoes, sweet potatoes, murasaki sweet potatoes, honeynut squash, delicata, butternuts, acorns, spaghetti squash, tons of heirloom tomatoes including cherry tomatoes, cocktails, and slicers, and great apples including Ambrosia, Staymen, Jonagold, Pink Lady, and Pippin. They are taking sign ups for the 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 is now on an every-other-week schedule, but Justin’s microgreens are available in the Café @ St. Stephen’s when he’s not here!
F.J. Medina and Sons Farm has a bounty of fruits and vegetables for you to enjoy.
G. Flores Produce has gorgeous produce and beautiful plants for your garden.
Haashrooms will be here with cultivated and foraged mushrooms and related products, such as coffees, teas, and salves.
James River Flowers will be here with beautiful blooms for your home or a friend’s.
Liberty Tree Farm will have sweet peppers, spicy peppers, butternut squash, assorted winter squashes, beets, radishes, red turnips, hakurei turnips, rainbow chard, lettuce, perpetual spinach, sorrel, dandelion greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, collards, kale, Asian greens mix, 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 sweet basil pesto.
Life in Bloom RVA Farm will have beautiful bouquets of flowers at the market this week.
The Mayor will be here with wonderful breakfast sandwiches and seasonal sausage varieties.
JJ’s Seafood will have seafood from the Northern Neck and Atlantic coast, plus sauces and more.
Emporia Rabbitry returns this week with rabbit meat and chicken eggs. Not sure how to prepare rabbit? Ask Al and Adriana for a recipe!
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 returns this week with delicious coffee cakes, perfect for the holidays!
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 with their delicious artisan miniature cheesecakes and other artisan treats. This just in time to fill orders for the Thanksgiving holiday. The available cheesecake flavors this week include: red velvet, cookies and cream, pumpkin, chocolate, classic vanilla, strawberry, cinnamon bun, banana, pudding, key lime, double lemon, and a limited number of tiramisu. Come early because we usually sell out of flavors. If you want to put in a pre-order send an email to [email protected] by Thursday evening. See you at the market!
RVA Bakehouse has started taking pre-orders for Thanksgiving rolls. If you would like to order your holiday rolls for pickup the week before Thanksgiving, they freeze beautifully and are easy to transport to your family gatherings. The Bakehouse will be offering Amish dinner rolls, sea salt & herb rolls and cheddar garlic rolls this year. To place a pre-order, please email [email protected]. The Bakehouse will be at the market all month with their full line up sourdough flavors, focaccia, specialty breads and sweets.
Artann’s returns this weekend with hummus, tabbouleh, white and whole-wheat pita bread, and more.
Better Breakfast returns with ready-to-eat vegan and gluten-free breakfast foods, cooked right at the market!
Dogtown Lounge will be away this week, returning November 23.
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.
My Empanada has appetizer trays for your family festivities. Pre-order now at (804) 203-3473 and pick them up at the market.
One Hive Farm will have local honey, whipped honey, and soy candles for you to enjoy.
One Hive Farm will be away this week, returning on August 17.
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.
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 four delicious soups:
– Seafood bisque: here’s a soup that will impress your family and friends. This decadent bisque is made with shrimp, Chesapeake Bay scallops, fresh blue crab, vidalia onions, celery, fresh garlic, butter, flour, Old Bay, cream, and cream sherry. $12/pint or $23/quart
-Mushroom and brie soup: a great replacement for canned soup in your green bean casserole. Full of oyster, crimini, shiitake, and button mushroom,s triple cream brie, homemade mushroom stock, flour, butter, and half and half. $9/pint or $17/quart
– Sweet potato and apple bisque (vegan, gluten-free): This “holiday in a bowl” soup is made with sweet potatoes, Virginia-grown apples, apple cider, homemade vegetable stock, vidalia onions, brown sugar, and fall-like spices. $8/pint or $15/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.
Wigglebutts will have locally sourced, plant-based dog treats, like sweet potato jerky and pumpkin peanut butter treats.
Simply Vettore will have handmade soap, lotion, body oil, body butter, bath fizzies, bath salts, and lip balm. Custom orders available. Visit me at my website and on Instagram.
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 has embroidered towels for all occasions. They made the perfect gift! You can also find a variety of baby items including burp cloths, bibs, baby swaddles, and lovies. You can also place a custom embroidery order on Saturday.
DK Designs will have her embroidered beanies as well as jewelry and stationery!
Lovely To Look At jewelry features fruits of the earth and sea. New arrivals include personalized bracelets and “charming” necklaces in plenty of time for the holidays. 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 sells beautiful, handmade ceramics that would make great holiday gifts.
Blade City will be here to sharpen your knives and garden tools.
Physics Luminary will join us this week with family-friendly, hands-on physics activities! Try some science while you do your shopping.
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.