The holiday shopping season is here. How can you invest in your community while giving one-of-a-kind gifts? Buy local, of course!

This year, LEAP is offering more opportunities to buy locally grown and locally made products than ever before.

• New this year! A one-stop buy local order form to purchase a medley of gifts in bulk for employees, clients, or neighbors. Order all at once and pick up together at the LEAP Community Store. Order deadline is Nov. 25.
• Three Grandin Village Farmers Markets in December. From 9 am to noon on Dec. 7, 14, 21. Find pottery, dried flower wreaths, tea towels, and lots of food items like salsas, hot sauces, coffees, and hot chocolates. Plus all the fresh produce and meat you need for your holiday tables.
• Find West End Farmers Markets every Tuesday through Dec. 17, from 3 to 6 pm, at 1027 Patterson Ave., including the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, where you can pick up Blacksburg Bagels pies (pre-order now) and local turkeys from Primitive Farms (pre-order now). Plus all the fruits and veggies for your big meal.
• The LEAP Community Store is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 12-7 pm. The store will be open on Nov. 27, plus the first three weeks of December. Find frozen apple pies, made with local apples, in the LEAP Processing Kitchen, for sale in the store throughout November and December. Stop by for gifts, ingredients, and last minute needs.

Want to give fresh fruits and vegetables as a gift? Try a LEAP gift certificate. These can be used at any LEAP market, the LEAP Community Store, even to pay for a 2025 Farm Share. Purchase gift certificates at the market operator's table at LEAP farmers markets or at checkout at the LEAP Community Store.

Ready for some holiday giving inspiration? Why not try:

• A specialty tea blend from The Wildridge Homestead.
• Snowman candle melts from Mountain View Candles.
• Biodegradable kitchen sponges from Drifting Farm.
• Pottery from Isha Devine Sykes.
• Goat milk soaps from Wish We Had Acres.
• A beeswax inspired gift basket from The Brave Rooster.

Lastly, want to tell the world how much you love LEAP? Order a brand new sweatshirt, cozy beanie, T-shirt in one of two colors, or shopping bag! All LEAP merch is for sale at our two farmers markets and the LEAP Community Store.There are so many great ways to buy local for the holidays!