Smart Markets Lake Ridge

Serving the Unknown community in Virginia, Smart Markets Lake Ridge is where local agriculture meets neighborhood life — a gathering place for families, foodies, and farmers alike.

From Crafts, Smart Markets Lake Ridge gives shoppers access to a wide range of locally sourced products each market day.

Smart Markets Lake Ridge is part of a national network of farmers markets that have grown substantially over the past two decades. According to USDA data, the number of registered farmers markets in the United States has expanded significantly, reflecting growing consumer demand for local, transparent food sourcing. Smart Markets Lake Ridge contributes to that network by giving Unknown-area growers and food producers a reliable, recurring venue for direct sales.

For consumers, the practical benefit of shopping at Smart Markets Lake Ridge is freshness. Produce sold at a farmers market is typically harvested within 24 to 72 hours of sale — far less time than the average transit and distribution time for produce in conventional supply chains. That shorter journey from field to table has real implications for flavor, nutritional density, and shelf life at home. Strawberries bought at Smart Markets Lake Ridge on a Saturday morning are simply a different product from strawberries that have traveled across the country in a refrigerated truck.

The economic impact of a market like Smart Markets Lake Ridge is also worth noting. When you spend money at Smart Markets Lake Ridge, most of that money stays within the Unknown area. Small farms and food businesses that sell direct-to-consumer do not depend on wholesale distribution margins, which means a larger percentage of each sale goes back to the producer — and back into the local economy. That is a meaningful difference from shopping at a national chain retailer.

Visit the market or check their website for the latest hours and vendor information.

Smart Markets Lake Ridge reflects Unknown's commitment to local food systems, creating a marketplace where producers and consumers can build lasting relationships grounded in trust and quality.

Contact Smart Markets Lake Ridge directly to learn about accepted payment methods, including whether SNAP/EBT benefits are accepted.