Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union.

This Labor Day, take time to remember your local farmers by shopping at your VCRFM. Along with hunters and gatherers, farmers were the original laborers.

We are experiencing challenging times in American agriculture. However, our local farmers have stayed strong and resilient. That’s why, as we gather with family and friends to mark Labor Day, it couldn’t be a more appropriate time to say “Thank You” to the folks who provide affordable, abundant, and safe foods for us.

It takes hard work to plant seeds, care for crops and raise livestock. It takes hard work to harvest our food. It takes hard work to pack it, transport it, display it and sell it at your farmers market. Every day, our farmers get these jobs done well, and their commitment benefits us all.

Love getting local fresh honey at your VCRFM? Did you think there’s “no real maintenance involved” in caring for beehives? Think again. Owning a colony is a huge responsibility. Safely transferring a queen and her family into a hive, protecting them from environmental dangers, and bottling an appropriate amount of honey from them is serious and often hard work.

Your VCRFM also offers unique, one-of-a-kind crafts from handmade soaps, cloths, towels, candles and clothing to wreaths, jewelry, woodcrafts, canned and baked goods. All of which took hard work and skill from local artisans.

So, as you begin your Labor Day weekend, stop by the VCRFM and pick up the items you need for your celebration. Whether you’re cooking hamburgers or steaks, ribs or roasts, you’ll find it at the farmers market along with your favorite fresh veggies and fruits. Grab a bite from Gavin’s Grub Hub for breakfast (or lunch) and some craft items to decorate your table.

This Labor Day, please join me in taking this chance to support your local VCRFM vendors and remember the hard work of folks who provide food and crafts for our community.

Beets, butter beans, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, eggs, eggplant, garlic, grapes, green beans, mixed greens, onions, peaches, pork, potatoes, peas, squash, tomatoes (green, red & heirloom), turnips and watermelon.We also have plenty of canned vegetables, honey, molasses, salsa, chow-chow, BBQ sauces, jellies, jams, soaps, bath salts, scented candles, cupcakes and unique handmade crafts.

Anticipated Vendors – September 1, 2018:

Cakes Delish
Culver Farms Honey
Donation Station
Gavin’s Grub Hub
Imperial Stitching
JASM Farms
Jerri’s Things
JW Creek Farms
LouMag Ent.
Short’s Family Farms
Winter Soap Co.
Woodwick Designs