Weekly Pop-Up Markets Bring Fresh, Affordable, Local Fruits & Vegetables to Charlottesville Residents

1 Comment June 22, 2012

Ongoing partnership between the Boys & Girls Club and Local Food Hub combines healthy food with learning opportunities for local youth.

Charlottesville, VA – Starting Friday, June 22, Charlottesville community members will be able to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables, and eggs at a weekly market hosted at the Boys & Girls Club on Cherry Avenue. The market takes place each Friday, from 3 to 5:30 p.m., and will continue through August 3. Residents with SNAP benefits may take advantage of a dollar for dollar match, up to $10, thanks to support from JABA.

The Pop-Up Farmer’s Market Initiative is a unique partnership between Local Food Hub and the Boys & Girls Club of Central Virginia. A healthy alternative to candy bar fundraisers, the program provides hand-on learning opportunities for the kids who need us most, funding for Boys & Girls Club field trips, and a source of fresh produce for all local communities.

Each week, students from the Boys & Girls Club work with Local Food Hub to develop, publicize, and staff a farm stand featuring seasonal fruits, vegetables, and eggs. Through this experience students gain valuable financial, job, nutrition, and people skills, while simultaneously providing their families and neighbors with access to fresh, affordable, local food.

“We’re so excited to launch the third season of this program,” says Emily Manley, Outreach Director for Local Food Hub. “These markets are a fantastic opportunity for kids to learn about fresh, local fruits and veggies, and such a fun way to bring tastier, healthier food right to their communities. After all, who can say ‘No’ when your child wants to bring home a bag of juicy, ripe peaches?”

The Boys & Girls Club agrees. “Not only are we seeing and tasting this wonderfully healthy food,” says James Pierce, Executive Director, “but the kids also learn real life business skills while thinking on their feet. The benefits to our young people extend far beyond the colorful and tasty food.”

This year, a generous grant from the LeRoi H. Moore Fund is underwriting the cost of the pop-up markets, ensuring that students can reach their fundraising goals while keeping food prices affordable. All funds raised from these markets go towards the Keystone Club’s trip to the National Keystone Conference in Atlanta, GA, March 21-24, 2013.

For additional information, please contact Emily Manley at: emily@localfoodhub.org or (434) 286-2176.

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Since 2009, Local Food Hub has worked to connect families, farms, and food grown close to home. The organization aggregates, markets and distributes locally grown produce, meat, and eggs, freeing up time and expenses for small farms and providing access to local food for more than 120 institutions and businesses like schools, restaurants, hospitals, and grocery stores. For more information, please contact (434) 286-2176 or visit www.localfoodhub.org.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia operate five local Clubs with over 1,700 members and works to build character, encourage social skills, develop fitness, and increase academic levels through youth development activities during after school and summer programming. The Club’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. For more information, contact (434) 971-9400 or visit www.bgclubcva.org.