by Chris Pearce

Created on: June 23, 2009   Last Updated: August 13, 2009

The Virginia Beach Farmers Market is the ideal place to buy a wide range of fresh food and other produce. It is an easy 10 mile drive southwest of the downtown area and is open seven days a week all year round. The market holds a number of special events during the warmer months.

The market opened on 5 April 1976 on the site of Norfolk City Market House. This was originally a small wooden building of 30 feet by 15 feet built in the 17th century. It was burned down by British soldiers early in the American Revolutionary War and rebuilt in 1782. The new one was also destroyed in a fire by the British. A slightly bigger third market house, made of brick, wasn't built until about 1900. Another market house, considerably larger, was constructed in 1923, but was demolished in 1956. Over the following two decades, the market had three homes: St. Vincent's Hospital, Tars Ball Park, and Diamond Springs Road. It moved back to its original site on Dam Neck Road in 1976.

There are a large range of merchants at the market. Most of them sell fresh fruit and vegetables. You can also buy organic food, meat, dairy food, bread, and candy, as well as flowers and gifts. You can buy plants and various other items from Chapman's Flowers, who have been at the market since 1979. They have vegetable and bedding plants, hanging baskets, indoor and outdoor decorations, wind chimes, jams, jellies, sauces, and more.

Skippers Farms have plants of all descriptions as well as fresh foods and jams and jellies. Try Seasons Best Bakery for various breads, pastries, and candies. At the Nesting Box are birdhouses and other items to do with birds. The Country Butcher & Deli Shop sells a range of meats, cheeses and sandwiches. Yoder Dairies has a variety of milk, cream, ice cream, and eggs, as well as sundaes and shakes.

The Virginia Garden Organic Grocery offers a wide range of healthy vegetables and fruit. The owner had the region's first certified organic farm. Creekmore's Place, Holland Produce, and S & H Produce all have various fresh fruits and vegetables and other food. There are a number of other vendors at the market. Some of the stores open all year, whereas others open from April to December. Most open from about 10am through to 4 or 5pm. The market has spaces available for rent.

Special events are put on by the market every few weeks between late March and early December. On July 11, 2009 is a Family Fun Day. After that, there is a Watermelon Festival on

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