COMMUNITY
PROGRAMS • EVENTS
Nutrition Assistance Programs
It is very important that local, fresh produce is available to all people, regardless of income or stability. Currently we have three programs that help low-income people buy healthy foods at our markets. By accepting SNAP (EBT/Food Stamps), WIC, and SFMNP vouchers, we aim to decrease the access barriers to fresh healthy food.
Healthy Lifestyle Activities
People love to visit the Morgantown Farmers Market, not only to shop, but also to have fun, be social, and active! We welcome local fitness instructors/gurus to come and teach a class, do demonstrations, or even a flash mob at our Market! All will be scheduled on a first come first served basis. We provide the space for free, you bring the rest. You are more than welcome to accept donations and give out information about staying active.
Local Musicians
We love having live music at our Market! All will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis. We provide the space for free, you bring the rest. Musicians are more than welcome to accept tips. We are looking for acoustic musicians that will add to our positive atmosphere!
Culinary Demonstrations
The WVU Healthcare Culinary Program provides for:
- Market customers to sample local, seasonal food with examples of how to use products at home
- Showcasing local chefs and strengthening their bond to market farmers and food
- Displaying chef’s talents, promoting local restaurants, and feature cookbooks and their authors
Notes About the Program:
- The WVU Healthcare Culinary Program is an EDUCATIONAL program, so first and foremost your role at the demo is to teach, using seasonal, local ingredients of your choosing.
- The goal is to utilize local and seasonal products, which are to be the focus of your recipe. While we appreciate all you do back in your personal/professional kitchens, this is a time to focus on simple recipes using market ingredients that a market customer/home cook can replicate easily.
Q: What will I find at the Morgantown Farmers' Market?
A: A large variety of items! The Morgantown Farmers' Market is dedicated to bringing our customers only the freshest items that are grown or produced within 50 miles of Morgantown, WV. You'll find meats (beef, pork, lamb, goat, chicken, and turkey), cheeses (cow & goat), eggs, lots of baked goods, honey, herbs, flowers, nuts, grains, crafted items, a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and more! Don't forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter to see what is in season.
Q: What kind of equipment will we be using?
A: We have four stainless steel preparation tables, a 6-burner commercial grill, a commercial flat top griddle, a 3-bowl food preparation sink that are all available for use. You will have to bring your own knives, pans, and cutting board, depending on what you plan on making. If you’re curious what it all looks like, then stop by the farmers market on a Saturday morning.
Q: How many people will we be cooking for?
A: Plan on 200 samples between 9AM-11AM. You don’t have to feed all the customers. We average 3,500 customers on a full market day.
Q: Does everyone need to have a sample of what we make?
A: Definitely not.
Q: Can we request the food that is needed for a demo?
A: We will try to accommodate your request with a donation from our vendors. Items that are in high demand, such as fruits, would be extremely difficult to get in high quantities, especially as a donation. Please remember this is a way to advertise your skills as a chef and what your restaurant might have to offer, if you have one. Advertising isn’t always this cheap, so help us support the local farmer by investing in their products.
Q: Can we be given some ideas of what folks did in the past?
A: Belinda Nichols, Nutrition Outreach Instructor with WVU Extension had Stir-fry variations - including anything from chicken (cooked in advance), bell peppers, onion, broccoli, zucchini, squash, snap peas, and more (cooked rice in advance).