Our Story
The Virginia Market Square farmers market began in 2016 when the City of Virginia dedicated space for a market in City Center Park. The Virginia Community Foundation provided funding for our first year. Since then, our funding has come mainly from vendor fees. We began with nine vendors and now have about thirty-five. Some come occasionally and some regularly. Vendors pay a $55 annual membership fee and a “table fee” of $5 per week. Interested vendors can find relevant forms here on our website. All vendors who sell at our market must make/grow/produce their goods within fifty miles of Virginia, so you know you’re buying local!
In addition to great vendors, the Virginia Market Square, in conjunction with AEOA and Essentia Health and the Virginia Community Foundation offers the Power of Produce Club for kids. Children get two tokens each week, worth $1 each, and they can buy their own fruits and vegetables at the market! In conjunction with AEOA, Essentia, and Minnesota Hunger Solutions, we also welcome SNAP/EBT customers and provide a $20 match. We welcome WIC/FMNP coupons too. And we offer “Cooking Matters” market tours and a $10 market challenge to customers who use SNAP/EBT.
When we can afford it, we have live entertainment. Many local musicians perform for a reduced fee and help us provide a festive atmosphere. We always have kids games like bubbles and corn toss and sidewalk chalk. And this year we have a dedicated kids tent with activities.
Virginia Market Square is run by the Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability and is a member of the Minnesota Farmers Market Association and Minnesota Grown.
We’re open Thursday afternoons 2:30-6pm from June 16 – October 20, 2022.
Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/virginiamarketsquare
Want to learn more about local agriculture in Northern MN?
Check out the Grown On The Range blog!
