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More people are stocking their fridge with local food and Virginia's farmers' markets have earned high marks.
A new survey released Thursday ranks 8 Virginia markets in the top 20 nationwide. That includes the Roanoke City Market downton. The results were based on votes for the survey entitled "America's Favorite Farmers' Markets".
Virginia has seen a surge in the number of farmers' markets in recent years.
There were 88 in 2005. Now that number has jumped to more than 200 markets including Catawba.
Catawba's farmers market opened in May and its already gained a following.
Local farmer Frank Garmin sells grass fed beef at the market. This is his fourth week and Garmin expects to sell out.
"I think grass fed is really good beef," says Garmin, "A lot of people have come by. We're getting repeat customers."
Katherine Cochran is one repeat customer. She makes a point to buy local food.
"He's a local farmer," says Cochran, "I know its going to be good product when I buy it.
Christy Gabbard started the market which is next to the Catawba General Store. She says there was a lot of public interest.
"They asked for a community market and so it made a lot of sense to go ahead and start a market."
The market averages 14 vendors every Thursday from 3:30p.m. to 7p.m. They have plenty of fruits, vegetables and artwork. Its appeal can be summed up in one word: local. Local growers, local products and the profit stays here.
"It's in my community. I live two miles north of here," says farmer Leighton Hodges.