The Virginia Beach Farmers Market has been delivering “fresh & local” produce, seafood, baked goods and more to the Hampton Roads community for nearly 36 years.

The “Buy Local – Buy Fresh” mantra and consumer initiative is as big and bold as the state’s commitment to the “Virginia Grown” brand. The movement is national in scope but it takes the support of the residents, farmers, fisherman and visitors to keep it alive and flourishing on a local level.

Good Ingredients & Good Cook’n = Great Living!

Virginia Beach makes it easy!

Celebrate year-round with a visit to Virginia’s Eastern Shore where you will find culinary delights…from Hams to Clams that will inspire your palate and ignite your passion for authentic and responsible living.

*Savoring the Seasons:

  • January to February: Wild Harvest Oysters
  • March: Rockfish & Wild Harvest Oysters
  • April: Asparagus, Cabbage, Carrots, Collards, Spinach, Strawberries, Flounder and Wild Harvest Oysters
  • June to July: Beets, Blackberries, Carrots, Cucumbers, Green Beans, Onions, Peaches, Potatoes, Strawberries, Snap Peas, Summer Squash, Swiss Chard, Turnips, Crabmeat, Trout, Scallops and Spanish Mackerel
  • August to October: Apples, Beets, Blackberries, Butter Beans, Cantaloupe, Eggplant, Figs, Grapes, Green Beans, Okra, Peaches, Peppers, Pumpkins, Leeks, Potatoes, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Zucchini, Softshell Crabs, Jimmy Crabs, Spanish Mackerel, Turkey and Wild Harvest Oysters (Sept/Oct).
  • November: Apples, Broccoli, Cabbage, Collards, Endive, Grapes, Kale, Kiwi, Leaf Lettuce, Pumpkins, Spinach, Sweet Potatoes, Turnips, Winter Squash, Crabmeat, Flounder, Rockfish, Speckled Trout, Wild Harvest Oysters and Turkey.
  • December: Carrots, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Sweet Potatoes, Clams, Flounder, Rockfish, Wild Harvest Oysters and Turkey.

*Seasonal Guide courtesy of BuyLocalHamptonRoads.org

Visit the Virginia Grown Website, for access to the Virginia Grown Guide to Pick-Your-Own & Select-Your-Own Farm Products. For a print copy, call 804-786-4046.

Contact the Virginia Beach Farmers Market for their 2012 Calendar of Events and to schedule a market or local farm tour.

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 12 noon -5 p.m.

Location:  Take Interstate 264 to Rosemont Road (Exit #18) south to Dam Neck Road

Virginia Beach Farmers Market

3640 Dam Neck Road; Suite 510

Virginia Beach, VA 23453

757-385-4395

NEW this Year – Coastal Food Tours !

The perfect vacation: Eat and Drink your way through the Virginia Eastern Shore!

Food Tour Corporation, a leader in culinary tours in the Mid-Atlantic, offers themed progressive meals, custom culinary events, pub crawls and team-building programs with a special focus on the region’s colorful history, architecture, culinary culture and locally grown and produced products.

  • Virginia Beach Boardwalk Tour – This adventure traverses the famous strip that has beckoned vacationers for decades.  During the Virginia Beach Boardwalk Tour, you will learn all about the history and culture of the area, including what John Smith and his crew ate during their quick stop before heading to Jamestown. For three hours, enjoy local creations, indigenous dishes, fresh seafood and refreshing drinks alongside the serenity of the beach and the Atlantic Ocean.
  •  Virginia Beach Farm-to-Table Tour – The Virginia Beach Farm-to-Table Tour provides an inside peek into the earthy staples city residents enjoy daily. The proud vendors of the Farmers Market – a beacon for local, sustainable food – supply fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats, seafood, dairy and baked goods throughout the year. This in-depth look at the Farmers Market includes stops at several stands, allowing time to mingle with the owners and also features an Organics 101 class. A tour of area farms lets participants venture into the fields to pick their own produce and learn about living off the land.
  • Coastal Harvest Feast Tour – Perfect for groups of five or more, this is a multi-day experiential tour that takes you from the culinary roots of the area to the tables of the hottest restaurants around. Throughout the tour, taste succulent seafood and produce from the cities and towns of Coastal Virginia. Tour stops include the Virginia Beach Farmers Market; Mattawoman Creek Farms on the Eastern Shore, known for its organic produce; Cherrystone Aqua Farm, also on the Eastern Shore, famous for its clams; and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center to learn about sustainable seafood. For the finale of the tour, toast and savor the moments of the adventure with a harvest feast on the beach where local chefs and farmers come together to prepare a meal representative of the essence of Coastal Virginia’s cuisine and time-honored culinary traditions.

Tours start at $50 per person. For a complete tour schedule and pricing, visit Coastal Food Tours of Viriginia online or call 757-255-8710.

For all your vacation planning needs, contact the Visit Virginia Beach tourism office.

Photos courtesy of the Virginia Beach CVB & S.Gaspers