It's not a stretch to imagine that not every farmers' market in Richmond will remain standing by the end of the summer -- there are upwards of 20 scattered from Ashland to Chester, from Goochland to Williamsburg. The largest concentration of markets happen to be smack in the middle -- in and around Richmond itself.
Richmond residents (and their immediate neighbors) can choose from the Lakeside market (Wednesdays 8-noon and 3-7; Saturdays 8-noon) or drive a half mile to the market at Bryan Park (Tuesdays 3-7); they can head to the market at St. Stephen's Church in the Near West End (Saturdays 8-noon) or to Crossroads Art Center on Staples Mill Road (Thursday 11-4); they can swing by the Byrd House Market in Oregon Hill (Tuesdays 3:30-7) or the 17th Street Market in Shockoe Bottom (Wednesday 3-7 and Thursday 10-7); or they can drive across the river to the South of the James Market (Saturday 8-1). And if none of that fits the bill, shoppers leaving Ellwood-Thompson's or Whole Foods can enjoy actual farmers' markets set up in the parking lots of stores that already sell produce grown by farmers. First Friday art gawkers will even be able to shop for produce this year at Quirk (Friday 6-10).
I'm not mocking this explosion, this cornucopia. I'm actually a bit elated. But I also suspect I'll be a bit burnt out by late June, and settle down with one or two favorite markets.
If I was a market organizer, I'd be praying for a long, not-too-hot summer -- punctuated by just enough rain showers. Because nothing will put a crimp on Richmond's newfound market mania like stunted produce and lean yields.
