New rules for South of the James Market lock vendors out of other markets

GrowRVA runs the RVA Big Market every Saturday in Bryan Park and the South of the James Market on Sundays in Forest Hill Park, the two largest and most established farmer’s markets in Richmond. Their new vendor agreement prevents vendors at these markets from participating in “any markets located within a five mile radius of RBM or SOJ during regular market hours” – effectively shutting out most of the rest of the city and impacting Lakeside Farmers Market, Carytown Farmers Market, RVA Black Farmers Market, St.Stephen’s Farmers Market, and Richmond Growers Market.

The radius was previously one mile.

The folks at Richmond Growers Market, a new Saturday market coming this year to Manchester, is right at the 5 mile mark (as the crow flies) from Bryant Park and feel like the new rules are anti-competitive and a disservice to Richmond:

We did not start the Richmond Grower’s Market in order to put GrowRVA out of business, or hurt their business in any way. We started it to serve a community that is not otherwise served by a farmers market nor by a grocery store. The way we understand Richmond and customers, the distance between Bryan Park and Manchester/Blackwell is such that we aren’t poaching customers or vendors.

We see our customers as folks who live in the Manchester and Blackwell areas and want to be able to walk to take a short bus ride to come shop. Accessibility to food is a major component of food justice, and the Richmond Grower’s Market came into existence to address a food access issue.

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It is a 10 minute (at least) and 7.4 mile drive with a $.45 toll to get from Legend Brewing to Bryan Park. Without a toll it is 8.6 miles and 16 minutes. Our market and the GrowRVA RVA Big Market are in distinctly different neighborhoods on opposite sides of the river.

We reached out to GrowRVA for clarification, asking this:

“So it sounds like y’all have changed your vendor policy for this year, prohibiting vendors from participation in any markets located within a five mile radius of RBM or SOJ during regular market hours. I understand that this used to be one mile and is now 5. Is this true? If so, why the switch?

Would this prevent vendors from participating in a Saturday market in Manchester?”

In response, we were sent a statement (that was also posted to Facebook) which quotes their Market Sustainability Protection Policy:

“Market Sustainability Protection Policy

We know you have worked hard over the years with us to create a recognized brand, sustainable opportunities for you to grow your business, and relationships with the communities we serve. It is important for us to be diligent in protecting our joint success moving forward as small businesses.

GrowRVA vendors are prohibited from participation in any new markets located within a five mile radius of RBM or SOJ during regular market hours, new markets set up as direct competition to our long standing events, or events that could impact the success of the market community as individual small business owners. If you are not sure, please email us and ask. We are happy to discuss this policy individually.”

This confirms the new change, and frames it as protecting the South of the James Market. We’ve reached back out asking if this specifically prevents participation in a Saturday market in Manchester.