http://www.godanriver.com/sova_living/farmers-market-more-than-produce/article_0ae58c3a-f01d-11e4-b166-fb2fc6960bcc.html
Every Saturday morning from May until October, the Danville Farmers’ Market welcomes up to 50 vendors and hundreds of shoppers. With something for just about everyone, the market has become the place to be each weekend.
According to Kenny Porzio, program coordinator for the Crossing on the Dan, this year will see a return of some favorite events as well as new and different experiences. “Opening day is May 2 and we will provide free tomato plants while they last courtesy of the Danville Girl Scouts.”
“This year we will continue the popular Chef at the Market series,” said Porzio. “Local chefs will use produce and meats from the vendors inside the market to make their recipes. Sometimes it is unusual foods that you may not see every day. Then they give out samples to the customers. It is great for the vendors because people can taste and smell the foods made with fresh products that they can get inside the market.”
The 2015 season will bring many returning vendors and many new vendors selling fruits, vegetables, meat, chicken, baked goods, coffee and crafts. “It varies seasonally,” Porzio said. “Some vendors only have things in the beginning of the year. Others farmers have crops that come in during June and July’s peak season. Other people like the coffee vendor and crafters will be here all year.”
As in the past, Wednesday hours from 3 to 6 p.m. will return during the peak months of July and August.
The Danville Farmers’ Market, however, offers much more than local produce to those attending. “The Danville Regional Foundation comes in and they do a wellness checkup table every week where you can have your blood pressure and other vitals checked,” explained Porzio. “We also have a master gardener table which provides literature and information on gardening.”
And for your fur babies, every month the Danville Area Humane Society provides dog washes at the market with all proceeds going toward the humane society.
“We are also going to try some live music and seating this year,” Porzio said. “So you can buy something to eat and sit down and enjoy it while you listen to music. People sell ham biscuits and baked goods that you could eat here while you take a break from shopping.”
Porzio said that there also will be a suggestion box, made by some of the vendors, so shoppers can leave ideas for future additions to the market.
To accommodate everyone, Ponzi said the Danville Farmers’ Market accepts SNAP/EBT as well as senior vouchers and WIC wouchers for fresh fruit, meat and vegetables. They cannot, however, accept WIC cards at this time.
For recipes and information on upcoming events, the Farmers’ Market has a monthly newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter outside of the market’s office or call (434) 797-8961. You can also request the publica-tion by emailing porziks@danvilleva.gov.
“We are really excited about this year at the Farmers’ Market,” said Porzio. “With the seating and music, vendors and demonstrations, it should be better than ever!”
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