Goochland farmers market draws 600 shoppers, boosts local food access

The market ran Tuesdays from May 5 through September, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at 1889 Sandy Hook Road. Goochland County described it as a boutique market with seasonal produce, grass-fed poultry, beef, pork and lamb, fruits and berries, honey, baked goods and select artisan crafts, along with weekly food trucks and live music. That mix mattered to shoppers looking for a full grocery run as much as a quick stop, because each purchase sent dollars directly to county and regional producers instead of to distant supply chains.

Angelia Miller, the county’s assistant director of recreation, said the opening crowd was huge and many vendors sold out. She also pointed to the county’s parks and recreation survey, which found a farmers market was the top resident request. That answer helps explain why the market reads less like a one-off event and more like a service residents asked for: it brings food access, recreation and small-business sales together in one place that people can reach without leaving Goochland.

The market also carried a food-access role that went beyond the typical farm stand. It accepted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and participated in Virginia Fresh Match, a program that doubled the value of SNAP and EBT dollars spent on fruits and vegetables. Shoppers checked in at the market information tent, swiped their card and received tokens to spend like cash on eligible produce, stretching grocery budgets while keeping spending tied to local agriculture. For families watching food costs, that made the market a practical place to buy fresh food, not just a pleasant Saturday outing.