Lakeside Farmer's Market in Henrico County, Virgina - Keep it Local!

Lakeside Farmers' Market (located at 6110 Lakeside Ave. Richmond/Henrico Va. 23228, one block South of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden) offers local seasonal produce, meats, cheeses and baked goods. Arts, crafts, dining, hardware and jewelry are located in the retail shops adjacent to the market and some of the shops maintain a booth at the market.

The Market which is the region's only Permanent Farmers' Market that is locally owned and operated by Sharon and Peter Francisco, can accommodate up to 24 vendors, with spaces of 10' X15', under a Pavilion with electricity, lighting and ceiling fans. Parking for the vendors and patrons is just a few feet away.

Sharon and Peter Francisco also own the Lakeside Towne Center, which is adjacent to the Farmer's Market. They purchased the Towne Center is 2004 and began planning for the Farmer's market then, believing it would be good for the economic redevelopment of the neighborhood.

In a recent interview with Mr. Francisco he shared, "We receive no outside support from any organization, or any tax dollars to operate our market. In the last two seasons, we have donated over $6,000. to the Lakeside Volunteer Rescue Squad on behalf of the Market. Sharon and I both grew up in the North Richmond (Belleue) community. Our families have worked and owned businesses in the North Richmond Community since the early 1950's. We attended and began dating at John Marshall High School and married after graduating from VCU. "

This family's investment in the community, both financial and emotional, is apparent. The Farmer's Market and adjacent Lakeside Towne Center shops are clean and well-maintained. Customer's are treated like guests and the atmosphere is one of fun and camaraderie. Our family has visited several times and we're never disappointed!

The market times are Wednesday 8AM til Noon and a second market 3PM til 7PM. Saturday market is 8AM til Noon. The market will run May-November.

Some of the Vendors regularly participating in the market times:

Wild Heaven Farm www.wildheavenfarm.com
Lowe's Arlington Farm
Byrd Farm Enterprises with Rural Virginia CSA www.ruralvirginiamarket.com
Terri's Flowers
Bluebird Produce of Hanover
Kruize Farms www.kruizefarms.com
Sergio Lopez Farm
Feathernesters' Offering Lakeside Fudge, www.feathernesters.com
Russell Bell of Edible Old Dominion www.edibleolddominion.com
Chili Llama Farm
Deer Run Farm , (Pleasant Fields Farm), www.deerrunfarm.org
Dutch Oven Bakery
Jon Philhower Farm
Pleasant View Press
Chocolate Cravings www.choccravings.com.
Umami Coffee and Tea
Good Garden Grub
Greenway Beef www.greenwaybeef.com
Mica Hill Farm
Agriberry www.agriberry.com
Flynns Foods www.flynnsfoods.com
Backyard Gardens
Greenwood Farms
Fleetwell Organix
The Farmhouse
Walnut Hill Farm
Garden Gate Landscaping www.gardengategardener.com
Franck's Apothecary

The website promises, "The vendors of Lakeside Farmers' Market produce the highest quality products for the Greater Richmond Area. They are on hand at every market period to give the information the community expects when they attend a Farmers' Market; including their production methods and helpful information for those wishing to use their products or just grow your own."

Vendor Participation Varies At Different Market Times

For more information, vendor application and market rules ee-mail Peter.Francisco@verizon.net or visit their web site at www.lakesidefarmersmarket.net .

My family and I have visited both the shops at Lakeside Towne Center and the Farmer's Market several times. How enjoyable our visits have been! We so appreciate that local produce is available plus having the opportunity for local artisans to present their work! Lakeside Farmer's Market and Lakeside Towne Center are an incubator for independently owned business to develop their dreams and turn them into a reality.