What to buy for the locavores on your gift list

By Mary Reid Barrow
The Virginian-Pilot
© December 7, 2011

SHOP for peanuts, jams, jellies and other gifts for locavores, as well as fall greens and meats, at two upcoming farmers markets: the Olde Towne Portsmouth Farmer’s Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Court and High streets, and the Old Beach Farmers Market Holiday Market from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 17 at Croc’s 19th Street Bistro in Virginia Beach.

FRESH FROM THE FARM

Pick your own collards until Christmas at Henley Farms on Charity Neck Road in Virginia Beach. Pick-your-own broccoli and cabbage also will be available for a week or so. Call (757) 426-7501 for information and picking conditions.

Fresh local eggs get scarce in the winter when hens hunker down in cold weather. Here’s another source for country eggs: Charles Wenger’s farm at 1881 Mount Pleasant Road in Chesapeake. Wenger also has duck eggs, collards, kale and Hanover salad. He’s open every day except Sunday. Call (757) 374-7876.

Who would have thought of locally grown ginger root? Virginia Garden Organic Grocery, that’s who. Virginia Garden also has local leeks, cabbages, sweet potatoes and hoop house greens. Located on the back row of the Virginia Beach Farmers Market, at 3640 Dam Neck Road, the grocery also sells Polyface meats from Swoope.

MORE HOLIDAY FARE

Season’s Best Bakery has a new location on the center circle at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market. Look for holiday items such as homemade sweet potato pies and bars and sweet potato praline cheesecake, made from local sweet potatoes. You’ll also find cooked collards beginning Monday.

How about a home-cured country ham for your holiday table from Darden’s Country Store, 16249 Bowling Green Road in Smithfield? They’re available baked or raw, sliced or not. Order ahead during the holidays. You also will find homemade sausage, bulk or link, Virginia peanuts and North Carolina pecans. Call (757) 357-6791.

Find wine jellies, grapevine wreaths and collards at Martin Orchard Vineyards and Winery in Knotts Island, N.C. Call (252) 429-3542 for information.

Mary Reid Barrow, barrow1@cox.net

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