Councilperson Kristen Larson and Forest Hill Neighborhood Association Statements on the South of the James Market Move

Earlier this week the folks at Grow RVA announced that the South of the James Farmers Market would be moving to Bryan Park. The result was much wailing, accusations flying, and many muppet arms flailing. Some of those accusations were directed at Councilperson Larson and the Forest Hill Neighborhood Association and implied that she and FHNA wanted the market gone for good.

Councilperson Kristen Larson and FHNA both statements yesterday.

Councilperson Kristen Larson

I am a huge supporter of South of The James (SOTJ) Farmers Market and have been since the market started 13 years ago. Residents who know me have likely seen me there on a Saturday getting my local fruits and veggies or standing in line for Yoder’s Donuts.

The current move to Bryan Park is temporary and was spearheaded City of Richmond Parks & Recreation.

Last Saturday, GrowRVA began allowing walk-up orders in Forest Hill Park. This presented COVID-19 social distancing problems as people waited to enter the market. I received numerous complaints from our neighbors about the crowded situation and the increasing number of vehicles lining up outside the market. On the same day there were 800+ vehicles that accessed the market through the surrounding neighborhood. This presented public safety concerns for residents who need to be able to enter and leave their homes safely.

In my role on city council, I raised concerns with the City’s Parks & Recreation department and the mayor’s office about folks gathering in and around the farmers market amid the restrictions the Governor has in place for the COVID-19 pandemic.

I have, and will continue, to work with Parks & Recreation Department and GrowRVA to keep the SOTJ market at Forest Hill Park. I will also continue to advocate for the safety of 4th District residents.

While my preference is to keep the market in the 4th district, it is my understanding that Bryan Park has more room for the SOTJ drive-thru and additional room to spread out while we figure out how to ensure safety at our Forest Hill location.

I am hopeful these details, along with the changing guidance from the Governor, can be worked out so that we can hold this weekly event back at Forest Hill Park in a safe way. In the meantime, I would encourage residents to continue to support the farmers market in their temporary location.

I look forward to seeing the farmers market return to its home location in Forest Hill Park with regulations in place to ensure the safety of our residents and the vendors who serve our community. I have been and will continue to be one of their biggest supporters of this market and look forward to working together to find safe solutions.

Forest Hill Neighborhood Association President Whit Clements.

The decision to temporarily relocate the South of the James Market was made by the City of Richmond.

The Forest Hill Neighborhood Association has been working for over a decade with the great people of GrowRVA and the Department of Parks Recreation and Community Facilities as they host the world-class South of the James Farmer’s Market in our wonderful urban community. It has become so much more than vendors selling locally-grown food in Forest Hill Park – it’s now an event attended by thousands and of which our community and city can be proud. Credit goes to Karen and Doug of GrowRVA for organizing this complex event week after week while keeping the lines of communication open with the community.

Covid-19 has been a disruptive factor for the lives of all and for the market, the FHNA looks forward to getting back to normal and hopes for the quick return of the South of the James Farmers Market back to operating in Forest Hill Park as soon as possible. We urge South of the James patrons to go out Saturday to support the vendors at their temporary location in Bryan Park.