Deborah Aguilera, Contributing Writer
Music and food fill the Latino farmers market at 13900 Hull Street Road every Saturday from April 4 to Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Vendors sell a variety of handmade products, foods and other goods, giving local businesses a chance to share what they offer with the community and meet new customers.
RVA Bakehouse, founded by Kim Buehler in 2023, has been selling their goods at the farmers market and opened their store front in Libbie Mill last October.
Stephanie Maranon-Estrada, a VCU alumna, represented RVA Bakehouse at the market on Saturday.
Maranon-Estrada said she enjoyed the atmosphere of the market and the different activities happening throughout the event because there was something for everyone, regardless of age.
The market offers activities such as painting, games and a moon bounce, giving families and younger visitors something to do while they browse the market.
Snyder Family Farm, a family-owned business based in Keysville, attends the market weekly. The farm raises cattle, pork, chicken and turkey. Heidi Snyder and Jeremy Snyder co-founded the business together.
Heidi Snyder said they started their business because they wanted better and safer food options for their family.
“It’s more wholesome than what’s at the store,” Heidi Snyder said.
The couple travels to several farmers’ markets in the area to sell their products directly to customers. Heidi Snyder said this is her favorite market.
“I love the people, the vibes, and we do a lot of good business here,” Heidi Snyder said.
The goal of Snyder Family Farm is to share and inspire others to buy and connect with local food, Snyder said. She said she believes that consumers should know where their food is coming from.
Safa Mahmood, a third-year VCU pre-dental student, attended the market for the first time on Saturday after hearing about the event. She explored the different stands, tried food and enjoyed the live entertainment.
“I really liked the atmosphere and how much there was to see,” Mahmood said.
Mahmood said the variety of vendors was one of the highlights of her visit. She said she enjoyed how the entertainment made the market feel more like a community gathering than simply a place to shop.
The market was an opportunity to discover local businesses and experience something new, Mahmood said. Its welcoming atmosphere and range of activities made her interested in attending again.
From food and handmade goods to clothing and other products, each stand offered something different.
More information on their upcoming events can be found on latinofarmersmarketva.com.