(Charlottesville, VA – October 23, 2008)  Even as the national economy struggles, the market for local food is growing.  Last weekend, the Charlottesville City Market reached a major economic milestone, as total sales for the 2008 season passed the $1 million mark.  Sales at the market are up 11% from 2007.  In the last five years, sales have more than doubled and in the past ten years, they have more than tripled. 

Stephanie Maloy, Manager of the City Market says, “There are many factors that contribute to the success of the market.  One is the quality of our vendors.  Also, in the Charlottesville area, we have a huge population of consumers who are very conscious about keeping their money local.  Many of them seek out organic produce and they like the whole idea of knowing the farmer.”

The City Market has grown even as customers have an increasing number of markets to choose from.  There are now over 130 farmers markets in Virginia, nearly twice as many as there were five years ago, according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  Charlottesville and Albemarle County now support six farmers markets, including Forest Lakes (new in 2008), Farmers in the Park and the Whole Foods market (which both started in 2007), Scottsville (which expanded from one day a week to two in 2008), Crozet and the City Market.

The success of area farmers markets is good news for the local economy.  The Virginia Cooperative Extension has found that if every household in Albemarle County and Charlottesville spends $10 per week of their food budget on locally raised food, they will contribute almost $30 million to the local economy every year.

Melissa Wiley, the director of the Piedmont Environmental Council’s (PEC) Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign says, “The fact that the Charlottesville City Market surpassed a million dollars in sales this year shows that people are beginning to see farmers markets as a feasible alternative to conventional grocery store chains.  They are recognizing the superior quality of locally grown foods and understanding the many benefits that buying local has for our community.  We are very pleased that since the launch of the Charlottesville Area Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign in 2006 the sales of local foods have increased, not only at farmers markets but at market outlets across the board.”

Holiday Markets and Buy Fresh Buy Local Guide Coming Soon
This weekend is the last weekend for the City Market in 2008, but customers can look forward to the holiday market, which will run every Saturday from November 22 through December 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the East end of the Downtown Mall near the pavilion.  Vendors at the holiday market will offer local food, gifts and decorative items such as wreaths. 

A Holiday Market will also be held at Forest Lakes, in the North Recreational Poolhouse & Pavilion on Timberwood Boulevard, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Customers can also look forward to the Piedmont Environmental Council’s 2008 holiday Buy Fresh Buy Local guide, featuring local food and seasonal decorations.  The holiday guide will be available beginning on Election Day, through November and December.  People can pick guides up at Feast!, Greenwood Gourmet, Integral Yoga, Rebecca’s Natural Food, the Charlottesville Visitors Center, the PEC office and other locations around town.  PEC is also happy to provide guides for anyone who would like to distribute them through their offices, schools, churches and other community organizations. 

Listings from PEC’s Buy Fresh Buy Local guides can also be searched online at www.buylocalvirginia.org .

For more information contact:
Stephanie Maloy, City Market Manager
CharlottesvilleParks and Recreation
(434) 970-3371
maloy@charlottesville.org

Melissa Wiley, Buy Fresh Buy Local Director
Piedmont Environmental Council
(434) 977-2033
mwiley@pecva.org