INDEPENDENCE — The Independence Farmers Market will host the annual Online Market Open House at the IFM/Grayson LandCare office at 104 Courthouse Street.
This free event will be held during the regular pick-up hours from 4-6 p.m. on Nov. 15. Everyone is invited to try samples, meet the vendors, get help setting up an account, or just say hello.
The Independence Farmers Market Winter Markets will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Nov. 24 and Dec. 2. Both markets will be held on Courthouse Street and the GATE Center parking lot and will feature IFM Kids Bucks. The first 25 kids to the market tent get $5 of IFM Kids Bucks to spend on anything at the market.
The Nov. 24 market features the annual chili cook-off. Bring a crockpot of chili – preferably already hot – to the market between 9:30-10:30 a.m. The contest is free to enter, and $5 lets you taste all the chili and vote for your favorite. Winner of the people’s choice will be announced at 1:30 p.m. and wins $100. Shop locally for the holidays with your favorite farmers market vendors.
The second Winter Market on Dec. 2 features free kids’ activities and your favorite vendors. In addition to the market, the Free Market Christmas Shop will be held in the GATE Center. The hours of 11 a.m.-1 p.m. are just for kids, and “elves” will help kids pick out a gift for family members. The hours of 1-3 p.m. are open to everyone. Everything is free.
Also, visit the Christmas Bazaar at the firehouse on Davis Street, and be sure to stay for the parade and enjoy a visit with Santa and other town festivities that day.
The Independence Farmers Market is a member of VAFMA and is on the Virginia is for Farmers Market Lovers trail.
The online and regular Friday farmers markets welcome SNAP and EBT and offer up to a $30 match for SNAP purchases to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. This grant funding is provided by the Gus Schumaker Nutrition Incentive network.
In addition, the market welcomes WIC and Senior Farmers Market coupons.
