Farmers Markets within the Blue Ridge Region, joined markets across the country in celebrating National Farmers Market Week from August 3-9, 2025. Farmers markets across the Blue Ridge region are working together to uplift, support, and collaborate in order to better support local farmers, improve local access to fresh food, and foster a thriving local food community.

Farmers markets create spaces where community members gather around shared values and are able to directly support and connect with local farmers. Together, customers, farmers, and organizations that operate farmers markets create a more fair and sustainable food system. This community focus has been most visible during recent times of crisis and uncertainty as market managers innovate to continue essential operations for the farmers and shoppers who depend on them.

“The impact of farmers markets to me — I like supporting the local economy. I like eating fresh, local, organic food. I like knowing who my farmers are and where my food is coming from, and eating that kind of food helps support my body and my health. And this is such a great place to be on a saturday, or a wednesday, or a tuesday!” —Customer, LEAP’s Grandin Village Farmers Market

Continue reading about how the Blue Ridge Farmers Markets work together to make a lasting impact on our local communities in this Roanoker Magazine article.

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In case you missed it, LEAP worked with Blue Ridge Farmers Markets to share the various ways that farmers markets impact the lives of: 

• Our customers
• Our farmers and vendors
• Our market managers

Want more? Check out our blog about all the ways LEAP Farmers Markets impact our community.