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, outdoors only.
Sign up to receive weekly emails about the market, including a link to the coming Saturday’s vendors, a recipe using market ingredients, and market news. The newsletter is free, and we will never give your information to any outside party. You may unsubscribe at any time.
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 offers fresh, local strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and asparagus! Our full line of jams and preserves, delectable oat bars made with Agriblend jam, blackberry syrup, raspberry and blackberry blush applesauce, and classically made apple butter round out our offerings. Our 2025 CSA signups are live, come see us here at St Stephen’s on Wednesdays from 2pm-6:30pm or choose another of our dozen convenient pick up locations all over the greater Richmond area. Click here to learn more!
Broadfork Farm will have their Certified Naturally Grown salad mix, microgreens, sugar snap pea shoots, heads of lettuce (red ones, green ones, and Romaine ones), Swiss chard, curly kale, Toscano kale, dill, cilantro, parsley, bouquets of flowers, round cabbage, napa (Chinese) cabbage, cucumbers, and summer squash. They will have their naturally leavened bread made from all Certified Organic ingredients and baked in their wood fired oven, in the following varieties: Seed Loaf, Rosemary & Thyme Loaf, Raisin & Cinnamon Loaf, Baguettes, plus fermented vegetables (sauerkrauts, kimchi, etc.) are back in stock from Gathered Threads Farm!
Bundy Heirloom Farm has fresh produce including strawberries, asparagus, sugar snap peas, spinach, lettuce, spring onions, radishes, and eggs. We will also have flowers including geraniums, gerber daisies, primroses, African daisies, and marigolds. We will also have all of our baked goods including sourdough bagels, garlic-rosemary focaccia, bagel chips, croutons, cookies, lavender crusted lemon chess pie, coconut cookie crusted key lime pie, and gluten free Oreo crusted peanut butter pie, as well as our prepared foods including pimento cheese, spinach dip, citrus vinaigrette, ginger-mint white balsamic vinaigrette, and assorted pickles and jams. Lastly, don’t forget to preorder a dessert for Mother’s Day.
Crumptown Farm will return for the season with organically raised plants, spinach, salad mix, Swiss chard, kale, dill, radishes, rapini, and bok choi.
F.J. Medina and Sons Farm will have plants for your garden and a few vegetables, with more coming over the next few weeks.
G Flores will have delicious spring vegetables this week.
Haashrooms will be here with cultivated and foraged mushrooms and related products, such as coffees, teas, and salves.
Liberty Tree Farm will have lettuce mix, lettuce heads, pea greens, purslane, rainbow chard, Tuscan kale, Saharan kale, fava greens, dandelion greens, French sorrel, radishes, hakurei turnips, scallions, garlic scapes, sugar snap and snow peas, fava beans, and lots of herbs including BASIL from their gardens. From the kitchen they will have roasted tomatoes and eggplant, a variety of pestos, fire-roasted and smoked peppers, braised greens, and dried herbs and pepper flakes.
Life in Bloom RVA Farm’s peonies are in bloom—and so are some seriously gorgeous gifts! We’ve got fresh, dreamy bouquets from Life in Bloom and stunning handmade earrings from Jhumka Corner, Aviva’s jewelry line. Pre–order in person at Farmers Market on Saturday, May 3rd or just text us at 571.393.3771 anytime until Thursday, May 8th for pickup on Saturday, May 10th.
Prospect Hill Flower Farm will have peonies, sunshine bouquets, and dahlia plants this Saturday. Visit their website for more information.
JJ’s Seafood will have fresh seafood from the Eastern Shore and North Carolina.
The Mayor will have amazing and delicious breakfast sandwiches as usual, plus a surprise, new varieties of sausage.
Old Way Farm, located in King William County, Virginia raises pastured 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 in a variety of flavors. Ask for a sample!
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 will return to the market this week with your favorite miniature artisan cheesecakes and other artisan treats. Have you tried a chocolate covered Geescakes treat? Visit the big pink tent and pick from a variety of chocolate-covered treat options. See you at the farmers market!
RVA Bakehouse will have more cheddar garlic rolls this weekend! The Bakehouse will bring their full lineup of sourdough flavors, specialty breads, focaccia and other pastries. Be sure to pre-order to get all of your favorites at the market. Go to RVABakehouse.com and put in the notes on the final checkout page that you would like to pick up at the market this Saturday.
Virginia Bread Company will have delicious pastries and fresh breads.
Artann’s returns this week with hummus in several delicious flavors, pita bread, tabbouleh, and more.
Better Breakfast will be here, grilling delicious vegan breakfasts. Not vegan? Try them anyway, you might be surprised!
Dogtown Lounge will be here with locally-made treats for dogs and cats. For more info please visit their website.
Leek & Thistle has some Mother’s Day specials this week. Pamper Mom, or the special person/people in your life to baked brie, savory breakfast casserole with asparagus, leeks, and mushrooms; French toast casserole with blueberries, lamb tagine with saffron pilaf, crab stuffed bacon wrapped chicken breast, or salmon cakes. To place a pre-order or to sign up for Leek & Thistle’s weekly newsletter please visit this link.
My Empanada, sells hot empanadas in sweet and savory varieties, a perfect snack while you shop.
Namaste Munchies returns this week with dosas (crepes) and smoothies!
One Hive Farm sells local honey along with soy-wax candles in a variety of 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.
Penny’s Imperfect Pizza sells delicious frozen pizzas, made right on their farm with produce they grow themselves.
Powhatan Chocolates is back this Saturday with a fresh lineup of handcrafted, artisan chocolates, made from the finest cacao beans. They’ll have chocolate-dipped strawberries (the perfect blend of juicy sweetness and rich chocolate), decadent bonbons (crafted with care for an irresistible treat), the ultimate turtle (with layers of caramel, pecans, and chocolate magic), and a few new surprises you won’t want to miss.
SoulSmith Kombucha sells many delicious varieties of kombucha, along with kimchi, pickled ginger, and skin serums.
“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. We cook with chicken breast meat only, in distilled water, with barely a trace of fat and no fillers or salt added. It is a very “clean” Brunswick stew. We produce stew twelve months a year, not just during the fall and winter. There is often a waiting list, so reserve your order by call or text to (434) 532-6658, or by emailing [email protected].
Simply Vettore sells soap, body oil, bath fizzies, laundry detergent, and more!
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 at the market with hand-carved cutting boards. They make fantastic gifts for any occasion.
Classy Accessories will be here this week with embroidered tea towels, embroidered items for babies, and more.
DK Designs will be at the market this week and then will be away until July so come see her!
Lovely To Look At jewelry features fruits of the earth and sea. All purchases are repaired free of charge. You’re also encouraged to chat about redesign, renovation, or repair of your other jewelry.
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.
Receive weekly updates
Sign up to receive weekly emails about the market, including a link to the coming Saturday’s vendors, a recipe using market ingredients, and market news.
The newsletter is free, and we will never give your information to any outside party. You may unsubscribe at any time.