Growing Wealth & Wellness in West Virginia with WV-grown Food
www.communitymarketsinc.org
April 2026 News: Ramping Up For Summer
Happy Easter! As spring ushers in more daylight and renewal of the landscape, Community Markets Inc. keeps increasing food security and access to farm-fresh food grown by our tireless local farmers. March saw some major things come together for which I am most grateful!
There are plenty of ways to get involved: Subscribe to CMI’s first CSA through Cooper Farm, Pre Order from our Mobile Markets, or join the CMI Team (We’re hiring!)! With all of the good that March brought, it’s also true that our Local Food Purchasing Budget is very low right now and our funding isn’t bottomless to keep the lights on, employ our team, hire more people, pay insurance… the list goes on… without your concrete and continued support, we can’t keep feeding underserved and low income West Virginians. Please Give Monthly if you’re able. Any amount helps!
From everyone at CMI from our Board to our volunteers: may God bless you this month and always with His favor and grace.
With gratitude,
Mark Peiffer, RPO
Operations Manager
mark.peiffer@communitymarketsinc.org
Impact at a Glance
In three & a half years, Community Markets Inc. has fed over 22,600 people in 12 WV counties with 234,300 lbs. of healthy & locally-sourced food and put $676,900 back into farmers‘ and small family business owners’ pockets.
Last month, CMI fed 841 food-insecure West Virginians with 3,200 lbs. of farm-fresh food and paid out local farmers & producers nearly $30,600! Over 500 of those fed were underserved K-12 Jefferson County School students through the Local Food Backpack Program.
March Highlights
🎉 Unity Campaign: Over 50% above Goal!
Over 130 donors raised more than $28,400 – over $8,000 above our goal! After United Way adds the partial match, the total amount may be around $35,000! What an incredible way to celebrate 5 years of CMI!
Thank you to everyone who donated, told others, and supported CMI during the Campaign!
🛒 Market Growth & New Drop Point
Over 170 Pre Orders were placed at St. Isidore Market in March, with many taking advantage of bulk seafood during Lent and special foods like Lamb for the Easter Market.
The Priestfield Drop Point in Middleway is now open to the public, making pre-order pickup even more accessible.
Give it a try! Simply select “Priestfield Drop Point” at check out for easy pick up nearby Inwood on Thursday evening.
🚛 Big Grants for Mobile Cold Storage!
March saw some large grants come in to keep growing CMI’s mobile cold storage fleet:
- $24,500 LEDA Grant from the late Delegate Larry Kump (R-Berkeley) for a Refrigerated Van. WV Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw (R-Clay 062) personally saw to it that Kump’s LEDA requests were honored.
- $20,000 from Martinsburg Rotary Club also for a Refrigerated Van.
- $57,000 from The Bolger Foundation for another Polar King Mobile Cold Storage Trailer.
These grants are investments in West Virginian agriculture and local farmers that will benefit all West Virginians for years to come!
🚚 New CMI Truck!
CMI recently purchased a 2022 GMC Sierra from Guy’s Buick in Ranson, thanks to support from Truist Foundation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and LEDA funding from Senator Patricia Rucker (R-Berkeley 16) and Delegate Chuck Horst (R-Berkeley 095). Guy’s provided a good truck at a discounted price, allowing these funds to go further!
🥕 Inwood Food Box Giveaway with Knauf
Community Markets Inc. wrapped up March in Inwood with Knauf Insulation, distributing fresh & healthy food to over 100 families. Knauf is our first official Food Box Giveaway sponsor of 2026! Learn how your organization can partner with CMI through a FBG Sponsorship and feed hundreds in the community while getting out your brand by contacting Development Manager Maria Resendiz at maria.resendiz@communitymarketsinc.org today!
🎒 Local Food Backpack Program Returns
525 Jefferson County students received a bag of locally sourced shelf-stable grocery items to take home to their families for spring break. Each bag included WV-produced food like fresh baked rolls, freeze dried fruit, honey, jam, & more! We’re grateful to partner for a 2nd year with Jefferson County Schools and Kilmer’s Farm Market for the Local Food Backpack Program. Another bag of food will be distributed to the same students at the end of May as they leave for summer break.
👏 Welcome Debbie!
CMI welcomes Debbie Gilberto to the Team as Magnolia Market’s Manager! Debbie lives in Paw Paw where the Market is set to begin on May 1 and is doing a great job being a boots-on-the-ground presence in Morgan County for Community Markets Inc. Look for her running Magnolia Market every Friday night beginning in May! Read Debbie’s Bio and welcome her to CMI at debbie.gilberto@communitymarketsinc.org!
** We Couldn’t Fit Everything in this Newsletter! **
Follow Community Markets Inc. on Facebook HERE and Instagram HERE for the latest daily updates on all things local food in West Virginia!
How Can I Get Involved? April at CMI
🌷 Shop the Easter Market!
Saturday, April 4 8 to 11 am, Charles Town – Join us for the special St. Isidore Easter Market featuring fresh & affordable groceries, seasonal items, and more to prepare you for your Easter celeration! It’s a great opportunity to support local farmers while getting our region’s best local food all in one place!
Details and RSVP on the Facebook Event!
🥦 Sign Up for CMI’s First CSA!
Community Markets Inc. is excited to partner with Cooper Farms in Hampshire County for our first CSA! Pay once and enjoy fresh, WV-grown produce all year long! Save 10% when you subscribe for the whole season! Utilize one of three pick up locations spanning three WV counties!
Hurry! The sign up period for the Spring & Full Year CSA ends at 11:59 pm on April 13 – don’t wait!
For what to expect in your weekly bag, pricing, and to sign up, visit HERE.
🎶 Attend the JCCC Spring Charity Concert “Sewing with Love”!
Sunday, April 26, 2 PM – Enjoy an afternoon of music from the Jefferson County Community Chorus while supporting Community Markets Inc., Jefferson County Community Ministries, and the St. James Simon of Cyrene Trucking Ministry! Bring a friend and get ready to gather with the community and support local food access initiatives.
Look for the event on Facebook to RSVP and share with others!
🌼 Shop at Magnolia Market Beginning May 1!
Paw Paw, WV – Magnolia Market officially returns for the season on May 1 in Paw Paw! CMI is excited to return to Morgan County for a full Market year, feauring a full-service eCommerce website being rolled out this month! Pre ordering will begin on Friday, April 24th at 9 am.
SNAP & SNAP Extend accepted! Vendors! Food trucks! Live music! Weekly access to fresh & affordable groceries! We’re hoping to do a second year of Senior Vouchers also.
Stay in the loop by following & sharing Magnolia Market on Facebook! You don’t want to miss the logo unveiling!
🛒 Pre Order Weekly at St. Isidore Market – Back Outdoors!
Beginning April 9 the year-round St. Isidore Market returns outdoors every Thursday 5-6:30 pm at St. James in Charles Town!
Pre Order Now through Tuesday at noon or simply stop by and shop what we have on hand!
Delivery to Charles Town, Ranson, and Shepherdstown will also begin soon. Stay tuned for more!
💼 Join CMI as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member!
Looking to serve your community and gain valuable experience? Join CMI as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member this summer or for a full year! Gain hands-on experience while making a direct impact on food access in our community and around West Virginia!
Learn about open positions, compensation, and Apply HERE.
❤️ Become a Monthly Donor!
Making a recurring monthly donation to Community Markets Inc. is one of the best ways to support our work. Any amount helps. No amount is too small! Join the growing number of individuals and organizations supporting local farmers and feeding families in need.
Learn more and get started HERE.
Our Board, Team, & Volunteers are grateful for our friends, partners, donors, and everyone who has made Community Markets Inc. what it is for the first five years – THANK YOU!!
Ready to increase health and wellness for every West Virginian with West Virginian Grown Food?
Become a Monthly Donor today!
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Like Community Markets Inc., St. Isidore Market, & Magnolia Market on Facebook.
Feed Hungry Families. Support our Farmers. Increase Local Food Access.