By Katherine Gittman
CP Reporter
The Route 639 Farmer’s Market introduces many to some of the local businesses in the community while giving customers some of the finest local produce many different vendors in Caroline and beyond have to offer. Located along Route 639 in Ladysmith at the C.T. Smith School, also known as the former CDLC and Ladysmith Elementary School, the farmer’s market has served as a way for many local businesses to sell their products and engage with the community. Whether a new or returning vendor, the market allows many Caroline locals to businesses that sell a variety of vegetables, breads, plants, pastries, and other homemade goods.
One of most popular vendors includes J and A Farms, which sells a variety of fresh vegetables including corn, squash, different types of zucchini and much more. From Tappahannock, Virginia, the owner and his wife have had their business for eight years and enjoy participating in local markets to keep their business going. Along with participating in the Route 369 Farmer’s Market, the owner and his wife enjoy participating in other events such as the Bowling Green Farmer’s Market, Tappahannock, Richmond, Norfolk and Newport News.
“I started this market with my wife and it’s a good market,” says the owner. He also shared that he enjoyed working back home in Tappahannock every three weeks. When he and his wife are not selling in local markets, they share that they spend Mondays and Fridays taking care of the farm to help prepare the produce they sell.
Another vendor included Janie’s Jams and Jellies. After picking the fruits from Mount Olympus Berry Farm, Janie then takes the different fruits she purchases and makes different types of jellies and jams out of the different fruits. From the fruits, she creates around 18 different flavors that include apple butter, apple jelly, blackberry, raspberry, peach, apricot, orange marmalade, cherry, strawberry and much more.
When asking what she enjoys most about participating in the Route 639 Farmer’s Market she shares that she enjoys that the event is local and making the jelly is something that she does on her own. Along with the Ladysmith market, Janie also sells in Fredericksburg.
Another local business, Village Bakery has been participating in the Route 639 for the past two years. The owner wanted to start a business where he made different types of artisan breads and pastries. After growing up in Europe, he wanted to bring the business over to the states. Village Bakery has been in business for two years and the owners have been participating in the Route 639 market for two years. They also participate in a farmer’s market in Spotsylvania.
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