One of my favorite things to do in Charlottesville is to visit the local farmers market. The farmers market operates almost all year long-- throughout the spring, summer, and fall, only closing during the winter. While it is of course popular with Charlottesville locals, many students also enjoy walking downtown on Saturday morning to get some fresh produce or locally made food. Oftentimes, RAs (Resident Advisors) even take their residents during the first couple weeks of school as a bonding experience. During my first year, my friend and I would run from our dorm all the way to the market, buy breakfast, and meander slowly home as we got ready for a day of studying.
The farmers market is located just off the downtown mall.
Of course, the farmers market is a great place to get fresh produce, like fruit and vegetables (I highly recommend trying to get your hands on some peaches when they’re in season). There are dozens of vendors and food trucks, selling all kinds of specialty goods, as well as meals for breakfast and lunch. Once you're an upperclassmen, buying your produce at the farmers market is an awesome way to use some of your grocery money to support local businesses and growers!
But there’s one place you absolutely have to check out: the Bageladies Cafe.
The Bageladies sell their one of a kind “Bake’mm” bagels and bagelini sandwiches, which are specially made to be low-glycemic, so they don’t make your blood sugar crash like a typical NYC bagel. The Bageladies make lots of different delicious sandwiches (I usually go for a classic egg and cheese), but they’re unlike any other bagel sandwich I’ve ever had. Make sure you grab a punch card, so that once you buy 6 sandwiches, you can get your 7th one free!
Bagelinis are a wholesome and filling way to start your day.
One of the other great things about the farmers market is that it is a super easy way to get out of what we call the “UVA bubble.” No matter where you go to college, most of the people you interact with on a daily basis are a part of that 18-22 year old age bracket. Getting off Grounds and out to the farmers market on a Saturday morning is a great way to see some little kids or dogs and remind yourself of the larger, vibrant Charlottesville community of which you get to be a part.
