Opening Day for Grandin Village Farmers Market was Saturday, April 6. It was a beautiful (if chilly!) morning, filled with customers, farmers, and artisans excited to step back into the rhythm of weekly markets. This was the earliest we've begun the Main Season for GVFM and it promises to be our strongest season yet:  we're planning for more vendors at each market than ever before.

On Tuesday (April 23), we kick off the growing season at West End Farmers Market, celebrating one year of moving the market to our new location (1027 Patterson Ave.). This year, customers can expect 10 vendors (some you'll find every market, some will rotate) each week -- 2 to 3 times as many businesses as we've supported at this market in the past.

And the farmers markets are not the only programs that open in coming weeks.

We've been signing up new Farm Share members since February and the signup deadline is drawing near. After April 29, Farm Share registration closes and the chance for a 26-week curated subscription of locally grown vegetables will pass. Don't miss this opportunity to support area farmers and come home each week with a delicious supply of seasonal food! (Find more information and the link to register here.)

The first of May means a new schedule of Mobile Market stops across Roanoke and beyond -- reaching underserved communities in the Morningside, Melrose, and Westwood neighborhoods, as well as seniors in Roanoke, Salem, Bedford, Buchanan, and Eagle Rock. Check here for the new schedule in coming weeks.

This season we are welcoming new market operators, a new community gardens manager, and a new administrative services manager (we'll introduce them in next month's newsletter) plus new summer interns. (We're still hiring market operators, check here for a full job description.)

We are also gearing up to open the LEAP Community Store. Peek in the window next time you're at The LEAP Hub: shelves and counters have been built; a sign painted by artist Katherine Devine is in the works; months of planning are coming together. We're hoping to open this full service store (offering fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, eggs, milk, locally produced shelf-stable food, plus cooking basics) three afternoons/evenings a week -- Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

This is always an exciting time of year. Join us as we celebrate all the ways to access and enjoy local food!