GrowRVA backs away from plan to expand non-compete footprint

The folks at GrowRVA have backed off of plans to expand their non-compete footprint across most of the city after a strong public response to the proposal.

Their statement on Facebook:

After thoughtful consideration and in response to feedback, we have updated our contract.

We value the input of our community, and in the spirit of creating more opportunities for farmers, artists and culinary artists, we are returning to our original policy.

GrowRVA had earlier announced that vendors at their markets (RVA Big Market every Saturday in Bryan Park and the South of the James Market on Sundays in Forest Hill Park) would not be allowed to participate in other markets within a 5 mile radius – a change from the previous limit of 1 mile. The folks at Richmond Growers Market, a new Saturday market coming this year to Manchester right at the 5 mile mark (as the crow flies) from Bryant Park, protested that the new rule is anti-competitive and a disservice to Richmond.