FAQ: In-Person Farmers Market
When is Birdhouse Farmers Market open for in-person shopping? Birdhouse Farmers Market operates every Tuesday, May - November* from 3:00pm - 6:30pm. *In November, we close at 6:00pm because it gets dark so early.
Where should I park? Street parking is available along Grayland Ave. and Idlewood Ave., as well as along side streets surrounding the market. Check street signs for parking limits. Second Baptist Church also offers their parking lot for easy parking each Tuesday. Enter on Idlewood Ave (look for the Birdhouse parking sign!). The market is just a quick walk across the playground/basketball courts. Thank you, Second Baptist Church!
Where does my bike go? A bike rack is available in front of the Randolph Pool, right behind the Amy’s Garden tent. Various street sign poles are also scattered down Grayland Ave. Please walk your bike through the Market Space if you must roll through.
What kind of vendors are at Birdhouse Farmers Market? Birdhouse is a food-focused farmers market. The majority, if not all, of Birdhouse vendors will provide some type of food option whether it’s fresh fruit and vegetables, prepared goods (think bread, soup, crab cakes, pierogies, etc.) as well as specialty beverages, baked goods, and more!
Are pets allowed? Yes! Birdhouse loves to see your furry friends at the market as long as they are leashed and well-behaved. Stop by the Welcome Tent for a dog treat or some water for your four legged friend.
Are there kids activities at the market? Yes! Stop by the Welcome Tent to grab a seasonal farmers market themed scavenger hunt and check our social media for additional, weekly children’s activities happening at the market.
Can I use SNAP at the market? Absolutely - and we’ll match it for fresh fruits and veggies, too! Stop by the Welcome Tent to start shopping the market with SNAP funds today.
How do I become a vendor? Check out the Become a Vendor page to learn more.
Can my nonprofit or other community based organization table at the market? Yes! Check out the Community Space page to learn more. The Community Space is available on a first come, first served basis and is available to non-profit organizations and smaller, local community organizations with nonpartisan missions.
FAQ: Online Ordering
What happens if there’s a mistake in my online order? If your order doesn’t match your receipt, give us a call, text, or email at (804) 393-9405 or birdhousefarmersmarket@gmail.com. Text is best if it’s during market hours. We’ll make it right, whether by issuing a credit to your online account, connecting you with the vendor, and when we can, delivering the item to you. We can’t fix what we don’t know about, so the first step is to let us know about the problem.
What happens if I can’t get to the market to pick up my order? Stuff happens. We’ve all had those crazy days. If it’s a Curbside Pickup, we can hold your order at the market until 6:30pm (Winter Online Only Market: until 6:00pm) We don’t usually have the capability to store it beyond 6:30pm (Winter Online Only Market: 6:00pm), but please know it will not be wasted! When the market closes, we glean the market, gathering any unclaimed orders and unsold products vendors want to donate to the Second Baptist Church Food Pantry. The church’s food pantry accepts our donation at the end of the market day for distribution the following morning to the more than 250 families in need, who they serve every week. Please note: staff call/text customers who appear to be running late. Contact BFM Staff to see if special arrangements can be made for a next-day pickup on a case-by-case basis.
Do I have to stand in line if I’m just coming to pick up my order(s)? NO! Just come to the Welcome Tent or drive up Curbside and give us your name. We’ll have your order ready for you and place it in your vehicle. Pickup between 4:00 - 6:00pm.
Where do I pick up my online order? At the Welcome Tent (May - November) at 1507 Grayland Ave. or in front of the Randolph Community Center (December - April) at 1415 Grayland Ave. Your ENTIRE order will be waiting for you, no matter the vendor.
Is every product at the market listed online? No. Managing agricultural products is as much an art as it is a science. Many farmers are working multiple farmers markets and have their own farm stand or online market. In order to responsibly manage the inventory of seasonal products (an art in itself), vendors may limit the amount or the selection of what they offer online. Nonetheless, you will find most products represented online, especially during the height of their season. The first tomatoes are going to show up in the market, before they show up online, but within a week or two, they will appear in both places.
Can I use SNAP and the SNAP Match online?
Absolutely! Email birdhousefarmersmarket@gmail.com to become an online SNAP user today. Learn more about ordering online with SNAP and SNAP Match here.
What if I need a refund? Birdhouse Online is unable to issue refunds at this time. Should you need to cancel your order or should a vendor be unable to fulfill an order, Birdhouse will issue a credit to your Lulu’s account. This credit will be applied to your next Birdhouse Online order. Credit never expires on Lulu’s.