A busy young mom with a car full of kids returns home from an event-filled shopping excursion. She and the youngsters are all laden down with bags of fresh fruits, vegetables, and crusty sourdough bread. They’re also unpacking several homemade and handcrafted items, including jars of honey, handmade soap, a hand-sewn apron, and a lovely bunch of fresh-cut flowers. One would think she must have spent a fortune and driven all over kingdom come to acquire all these treasures. But not so! This savvy lady and her posse spent a happy afternoon at their local farmers’ market, where “one-stop shopping” is an adventure, not just a routine errand.
Long before grocery stores and online shopping existed, families, artisans, and small business owners would bring their wares to the town’s square, where locals would gather, haggle over deals, and swap stories with other villagers. So, in essence, visiting a farmer’s market is like stepping back in time. Let’s visit a few delightful markets nearby…
The friendly, hard-working vendors at Powhatan Village Farmers’ Market would love to meet you! Shop for local farm products and artisan goods every Thursday from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. through September. Their new location, 2200 Mann Road in Powhatan at Fighting Creek Park (in the playground trailhead parking lot), is nicely shaded and accessible, with ample parking, live music and local food trucks. You’re sure to find a treasure or two when you come.
Green fields and grazing cattle set the scene for Quarterfield Markets—3209 Buckingham Rd. in Powhatan (at Hertzler’s Farm). This charming, air-conditioned indoor market showcases handcrafted goods from talented makers across the region, along with homegrown produce, meats, eggs, and dairy products. Open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the market offers a wide selection of local and artisan goods. On the second Saturday of each month, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Quarterfield also hosts a busy open-air market with 30 to 40 artisans, vendors, and food trucks. There’s even a petting barnyard for the kids.
Fans of the Goochland Farmers’ Market enjoy its park-like setting and boutique feel. It is held Tuesdays from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. at 1889 Sandy Hook Road in Goochland, making it a popular shopping destination. There is plenty of parking and an abundance of local produce, honey, meats, baked goods, and artisan crafts on hand. Live music and on-site food trucks complete the atmosphere.
Yep, there’s nothing like a farmers’ market–a place to meet friends, find treasures, and most importantly, shop local. Make the effort to support our talented local market vendors this season!
Editorial by Kim Amboy; July 2026