CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Winter Blues Farmers Market is back for its 15th year and bigger than ever. The market takes place Saturday, February 24 from 1-6 p.m. at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. It is free for the public to attend. More than 100 vendors from across the state will be on hand selling products grown or sourced in the Mountain State. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and WVU Extension Small Farm Center sponsor this annual event.
“We love to see our West Virginia farmers, growers, and producers come together and show off their amazing products,” says Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “Shoppers get to see first-hand what I’ve been saying since taking office seven years ago, ‘Buying local is good for our health, it’s good for our economy and it’s good for our environment.’ West Virginia is never going to be able to produce all the food our residents need, but we can grow our agriculture industry by leaps and bounds if people choose to support local agriculture and its producers.”
The Winter Blues Market will feature fresh produce and meats, baked goods, natural foods like honey and maple syrup and value-added products. Not only will shoppers have the chance to sample what’s being sold, but they also get to talk to the people behind the products to find out how they’re made, what ingredients are used and how they do business.
In 2023, total sales for Winter Blues topped $115,000. Those who attend will have an extra hour to shop this year, and a new layout will help keep foot traffic flowing smoothly. The event is held in conjunction with the West Virginia Small Farm Conference held February 21-24.
For more information about the Winter Blues Farmers Market, contact the WVDA Business Development Division at businessdevelopment@wvda.us or 304-558-2210.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials who sits on the Board of Public Works.