In addition to the weekly Saturday markets and annual fairs, local farmers are back on the scene, growing and selling also at their regular locations. Where are they and what’s available? Check out the information listed below and examples of markets throughout the VI.
FARMERS MARKETS IN THE USVI
Annual
1. January (Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday weekend)
St. Thomas -Bordeaux Farmers Rastafarian Agricultural & Cultural Vegan Food Fair
2. February (President’s Day weekend)
St. Croix – “AgriFest”
3. November (weekend before Thanksgiving)
St. Thomas – “AgFair” the St. Thomas – St. John Agriculture & Food Fair
Bi-Monthly
1st & 3rd Sundays at Yacht Haven Grande (moved to near Market Square) – Contact Brother Wade at 340-514-6774
2nd & Last Sundays at the Bordeaux Farmers’ Market – We Grow Food, Inc. – Call/Text: 340-727-6684
Weekly (Saturdays)
St. Thomas – On Main Street the Sanderilla Thomas Market Square
St. Croix – At the Rudolph Schulterbrandt Market/Department of Agriculture Fairgrounds
Since Hurricanes #IrMaria in September of 2017, it was challenging and concerning to admit the status of local farmers. The devastation that the storms left behind was enough to cause anyone to throw up their hands, pack up and give up…but not our resilient USVI farmers. They started planting back right away and can be found at the following locations with the produce listed. Also listed are the upcoming annual AgFairs and Saturday Farmers Market locations.
Share this so more can support Agriculture in the VI and encourage support of their crucial work and livelihoods. Their progress is to our benefit. Some also accept EBT and SNAP benefits to make it easier for persons of all income brackets to eat healthy and support local.
Sejah Farm VI (St. Croix)
Saturday March 17, 2018
Weekly Farmers’ Market
Open 7:00am to 5:00pm
Business Hours: Monday thru Friday 10 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday 7:00 am to 5:00pm
Accepting credit cards and SNAP
340-277-6046/340-277-9392
Available Produce:
Tumeric
Ginger
Pumpkin
Sweet Potato
Herbs:
Green Onions (chives)
Basil
Lemon Grass
Turmeric
Greens:
Lettuce
Kale
Arugula
Swiss Chard
Boc Choi
Swiss Chards
Collard Greens
Fruits:
Carambola
Sugar Apple (purple)
Value Added:
Honey (Honeyman Wild Flower Honey)
Don’t Panic it’s Organic
On a weekly basis, those on St. Croix can go to the La Reine Farmers Market in Estate La Reine. on Saturdays for local produce.
The #Caribbean’s Best Agricultural Fair is happening on #StCroix #VirginIslands during May 26 – 28, 2018. One week of activities for the entire family including great food, all-day music, local plants, animals and fun! AgriFest usually takes place in February during Presidents’ Day weekend and was initially canceled due to the damages caused by Hurricane Maria, but the community responded requesting that it still be held. There was a community meeting then the date was moved to May so farmers could have time to recover and replant. Call 340-778-0997 for information on being a vendor. The official website is www.viagrifest.org.
Additional Farmers:
On a weekly basis, consumers on St. Thomas can visit the Rothschild Francis Market Square in the heart of town near Main Street from the crack of dawn until everything’s done.
We Grow Food, Inc. holds their 2nd and Las Sunday markets at the Bordeaux Farmers Market from 10am. Their annual Vegan and Cultural AgFair is scheduled for Saturday March 31st and Sunday April 1st from 10am – 12am at the Bordeaux Farmers Market.
A favorite community destination voted Best Farmers’ Market in the VI 2016, The Farmers’ Market at Yacht Haven Grande supports our local food growers, artisans, and producers, helping create a vibrant community with easy access to locally-grown farm fresh food and products made in the USVI.
Hours of Operation
The Farmers’ Market is open on the first and third Sundays of every month, from 10:00am – 5:00pm.
Monthly, Bro Wade will be at the 3rd Sundays Farmers Market in Yacht Haven Grande (on St. Thomas) this coming Sunday from 10am until it’s all gone.
Available this Sunday (Old sample):
Arugula
Asian Squash
Baby Kale
Basil
Collard Greens
Cucumbers
Green Beans
Green Onions (chibble),(Scallions)
Lemon Grass
Mustard Greens
Okra
Pumpkin
Seasoning Peppers
Thyme
**Cakes
**Fresh Chicken
**Fresh Eggs
**Farm Fresh Juices and Chlorophyll
Email organicwestfarm@gmail.com or for urgent matters and more information, please feel free to contact Brother Wade at 340-514-6774.
I’ll add more as I find out more, but basically, wherever you are in the Virgin Islands there’s a farmer near you. You have weekly, bi-weekly, monthly and yearly agriculture related events to enjoy and show appreciation to the farmers that feed us. Helping to support them can be done in a variety of ways, even if you can just help to spread the word at the details of what’s available. We look forward to seeing you there. Thank you for your continued support.
To get reminders of agriculture related events, complete the contact form on the UVI Cooperative Extension Service page.
