Every Wednesday, local vendors gather in downtown Lexington to sell their products. Shoppers stroll through stalls filled with farm-fresh produce, artisan goods and homemade treats.
“The community is very committed,” said vendor Robin Ulmer when asked what makes the Lexington Farmers Market special. “Once they establish their diet, they rely on fresh produce for everyday life.”
Ulmer sells produce, including tomatoes, star and romaine lettuce, and radishes from Mountain View Farm. She has sold at the Lexington Farmers Market for at least 17 years and is on a first-name basis with many of her customers, she said.
Another vendor, Mark Hodges, who runs Three R’s Micro-Green Farm, started his business selling at the farmers market. Hodges said his cilantro and parsley microgreens have 20% to 40% more nutrients than traditional plants.
“A cup of broccoli microgreens is more nutritious than a typical head of broccoli,” said Hodges. Typically, microgreens grow much faster than regular vegetables, with some being ready to harvest a week after planting, and others taking only two to three weeks, he said.
Hodges grows all of his plants organically and indoors, allowing him to regulate the soil, water and air quality. His indoor setup also allows him to grow microgreens year-round, meaning that even during the winter seasons, he is able to sell at the farmers market.
Chase Wheatley sells baked goods at the farmers market from his Conifer Breads business. He sells different types of bread, bagels and croissants.
During the spring and summer seasons when traffic is at its peak, it is common to have two to three rows of vendors, but on rainy and cold days, it might only be one or two, Wheatley said.
Shannon Dryden, whose day job is at Virginia Military Institute, and John Dryden, the Rockbridge County attorney, sell mushrooms from their business, Maury River Mushroom Farm.
Their mushrooms can be used for many different purposes, and a range of dehydrated and regular mushrooms is available. Shannon Dryden said that the process of dehydrating mushrooms can take up to 12 hours because they hold a lot of water.
One vendor known as Aaron “The Knifeman” has a table dedicated to educating people on how to sharpen knives. He has a sharpening stone which he will use to either demonstrate how to sharpen knives, or you can bring your own and he will sharpen it.
Towards the back of the farmers market, Blue Ridge Cider Doughnuts sells apple cider donuts and the drink itself. Other booths sell trail mix, plants, Ukrainian baked goods, dog treats, wax candles, honey and more.
The farmers market occurs year-round on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Even on frigid or rainy days, peddlers and community members will brave the weather for the weekly event. It takes place in McCrum’s Lot beside Main Street.
