RICHMOND—This season, Virginians can give thanks for the commonwealth’s vast array of homegrown ingredients by savoring them during the holidays.

Farmers markets and farm markets across the commonwealth are offering abundant Virginia-grown ingredients for enhancing holiday meals—from sweet potatoes, greens and apples to a variety of meats, cheeses and baked goods.

“Virginia’s farmers markets are a cornerstone of our state’s food system year-round, but the holiday season is an especially meaningful time to shop locally,” remarked Kim Hutchinson, Virginia Farmers Market Association executive director.

She noted that buying from local farmers and food producers “keeps dollars in our communities, supports small businesses, and helps build a more sustainable and resilient food system for Virginia.

“It’s also a wonderful way to connect with the people who grow the food we love, that we gather around, and that we share with family and friends,” Hutchinson added.

Jesse Roberts of Bibb Forest Farm in Louisa enjoys sharing recipe ideas with his customers at Charlottesville City Market.

“Try new things, try new recipes, and ask questions,” he encouraged. “A lot of our market clientele ask us about our favorite way to eat something, they end up trying it and loving it, and come back for more.”

Roberts keeps busy throughout the holiday season harvesting a variety of greens, radishes, winter squash, sweet potatoes, garlic and more seasonal staples.

He invites customers to try discerning the subtle differences in taste between his purple, white and orange sweet potatoes—all “absolutely delicious,” and exceptionally sweet after a two-week curing process.

His winter squash undergo a similar curing process for optimal sweetness. He said his Black Futsu squash are among the “best-tasting pumpkins” currently available; heirloom pumpkins are ideal for soups; and delicata squash is a customer favorite.

For preparing delicata in stews, he recommends quartering it lengthwise with the skin on, removing the seeds, and cooking it like summer squash.

“And if you’re roasting it, which is probably the best way to experience the flavor as is, you cut it long-ways and add a little bit of salt. You can make it savory or sweet in terms of spices,” he noted.

The farm’s salad turnips, purple top turnips, red round radishes and watermelon radishes are best enjoyed raw in salads. Roberts’ hardneck garlic is another customer favorite and boasts “stronger, wild allium flavors.”

He expects to have his tatsoi, spinach, bok choy, Swiss chard, other greens and cilantro available through January, depending on the weather.

Roberts’ family enjoys incorporating the farm’s ingredients into their own Thanksgiving meals. He especially favors any savory sweet potato dish, and boiling down beets and salad turnips in a stock to “bring out their sweetness.”

Customers can find Bibb Forest Farm at the Charlottesville market the next two Saturdays. They also can visit the farm’s website to browse available inventory and order for pickup in Louisa, Henrico or Midlothian; or delivery in Charlottesville on select days. Online orders can be placed on Thursdays from 8 p.m. through Monday. Visit bibbforestfarm.com for more information.

To find a farmers market near you, visit the VAFMA website at vafma.org/virginia-markets.

Media: Contact Hutchinson at 804-405-3288; or Roberts at 804-240-5797.