Bridgeport Farmers Market is growing by leaps and bounds. Not only are people purchasing more local foods, but an increased number of West Virginia growers are getting in on the action; some moving in from out of state.

 

“There are more and more people farming in this part of the state than ever,” said Bridgeport Farmers Market President Debbie Workman. “Some have moved to West Virginia; quitting some high power jobs which paid a lot of money to try farming. That’s where several of our vendors are coming from.”

 

The weekly market at Charles Pointe presently has 40 participating vendors.

 

“I feel like we’re putting a festival on every single week,” Workman said. “We are very happy about that.”

 

Vendors carry a variety of locally raised beef, chicken, pork and other meat products, as well as fresh eggs, jams, jellies, home baked goods and even cold-brewed coffee products and artisan crafts. But the main focus of the market – and the primary reason for its growth – is produce.

 

“We really have a nice variety of produce vendors,” Workman said, “and although nobody is certified organic – which is a very involved and costly process – we do have people who very seriously follow organic practices. If chemicals are a concern, consumers can find plenty of organically-grown products at our market.”

 

The market has grown to feature four different on-site food vendors, open for brunch each Sunday. In addition to Bridgeport Conference Center and Cody Thrasher’s food truck “Hash Browns & New Grounds,” West Virginia Double O Bagel Company and Bistro Brothers have come on board, Workman said.

 

This year was also the debut of the Children’s POP (Power of Produce) club and it has kicked off with a bang, Workman said. 

 

Market goers can enjoy live market-style music on a regular basis. Although resident musician Russ Reppert has recently become a market vendor, Skip and Cyndy Mason have obliged in providing that weekly music, Workman said.

 

One of the market’s newest vendors, Reppert AKA “The Smoothy Guy” specializes in smoothies made from market products.

 

The market is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. A week from Sunday, the annual Country Roads Cook-Off will take place. Read about that event here.