 Our
Story
Virginia Garden is an independent, locally-owned
and operated market founded in 1987 by Mark and Michele Shean. Over
the years, Virginia Garden has built a reputation as a store
where you can shop with confidence for products that are organic,
natural, and environmentally/socially conscious.
Our Mission
- We are Virginia Garden Organic Grocerie.
- Born of the desire to serve.
- Raised by the wisdom of mistakes
we’ve made.
- Driven by the mission of good food for
all our neighbors.
Ruled by the heart, we are sustained supplied and living our
Dream.
Your Local Connection
We are your LOCAL CONECTION. We make it possible
for farmers from Staunton, Virginia to Elizabeth, North Carolina
to sell fresh produce to you.
For the past 17 years we have worked
on LOCAL farm contacts and developed a thriving market for LOCAL
products. We are the trend setters that sustained these LOCAL ORGANIC
FARMERS, and inspired new growers.
Come join our Team of LOYAL
CUSTOMERS and experience the FLAVOR.
Our History
- 1978 – The first Organic farm in Virginia
Beach was established by Mark Shean. Inspired by Alan Chadwick,
the farm was worked by hand in the French Intensive Biodynamic
method.
- 1980 – Mark Shean and John Wilson work
the first acre of land by hand with the vision of Organic Gardens
to share.
- 1983 – The farmer takes a wife. After
two years of courtship and lots of work in the garden together
Mark and Michele are married and intend to continue the vision.
- 1987 – A
space in the Virginia Beach Farmers Market becomes available.
Beginning with hand made furniture and quality garden tools,
we grew a business.
- 1990 – The word Organic in Virginia
is defined. A five-year soil and farm plan are submitted to receive
the first certification as an organic farm in Tidewater. News
of organic food was covered in the local paper and people came.
We could not supply the demand ourselves. As
a service to a group of thirty people we began trips to Beltsville,
MD to bring back other produce that was available. Organic carrots
were the bulk of what we brought back a that time.
Read about Michele Shean's commitment to organic
living.
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