A Sunday at Richmond’s Black Farmers Market
by Anaïs Stewart
RICHMOND, VA — The RVA Black Farmers Market was founded in August of 2020 by Navi Johnson. Created as a safe place for Richmonders to celebrate their community, and share local goods with each other. It’s a celebration of independence and agriculture nurtured from the farmers that have gotten their hands in the dirt to share with us all. The RVA Black Farmers Market takes place every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month from 11 AM - 3 PM. Located at Shalom Farms, 1311 Westwood Ave.
Read more our full feature on land, legacy, and food justice with Navi, and others here.
Last Sunday, I was able to attend the market with my family and chat with a few Black owned farmers, and businesses. Witnessing Black people sharing the literal fruits of their labor with their community was homey. Each and every owner was pleased to explain their business and help you shop correctly, whether it was oils, juice or baked goods. I saw everything from huge peppers, to sea moss and even huge bags of granola.
I spoke with a few of the owners, asking them a few questions about their companies and their feelings about providing to their community.
I first spoke with Latoya, who is head of Bundy Heirloom Farm, a 4th generation of farmers from Drake Branch, Virginia. This year is her first year selling her products with the market. She says it’s really cool because it’s nice to give back to her OWN community.
“It’s nice for us as Black people just to get back into farming. It’s a really unique thing. It’s really awesome because I like to have my own food that I know doesn’t have pesticides and all the weird poisons. It’s fresh, nicely done and has a good taste.”
Her speciality is Heirloom produce which includes everything throughout all the seasons. Cucumber, and melons, and later in the year she grows collards, butternut squash, corn. She says that anything that she can turn into a pickle, she tries to. The most interesting thing I saw in a jar was the pickled watermelon rinds. Latoya says that, “it’s a SUPER southern, country thing” and that everyone's grandma has a recipe for it! She says there’s ZERO waste of food and they try not to throw away anything.
Check out more on Bundy Heirloom Farms here.
Herbal teas, simmer pots and. herbal oils from Kennedy, of I’ve Got An Herb 4 That.
Next, I spoke with a young entrepreneur named Kennedy who sells candles, but is also covering for her little sister's business. Her little sister’s business doesn’t quite have a name yet, but she sells loose leaf teas, oils and seedlings.
“I like the sense of community,” Kennedy says.
While enjoying the atmosphere, we purchased from the last business I spoke with, Sol Salsa. They sell delicious pico de gallo, both mild and spicy, and it was absolutely delicious when we brought it home!
“I just love our people,” says Sol Salsa. :I love that we’re into health, we’re into feeling better, we’re into good food. Everybody here supports everybody.” Sol Salsa
If you’re looking forward to the next one to see what more Black owned businesses have to offer us, and the community, the next one is Sunday, September 14.
Shop: Fresh produce, good eats, plants and more!
Enjoy: Connecting with the community.
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