LEAP For Local Food

LEAP is a Roanoke-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization. LEAP’s mission is to develop, support and maintain a sustainable local food system in the greater Roanoke region. We do this by connecting the dots between local farmers, food producers, and community members.
Current Projects
LEAP strives to make healthy, local food more accessible to everyone in the greater Roanoke Valley. Currently, we organize and operate farmer’s markets. The Grandin Village Farmers Market has been selling great food and creating community since 2009 and the West End Farmers Market since 2010. In 2015 we launched the LEAP Mobile Market, which brings fresh produce to Roanoke neighborhoods that lack easy access to a grocery store.

In order to make healthy food accessible to everyone, we accept and DOUBLE all SNAP/EBT (formerly Food Stamps) benefits at all LEAP markets. We also double all purchases by Medicaid and WIC beneficiaries. To learn more about our markets, check out this page.

LEAP also manages our Farm Share, a weekly box of fresh, seasonal produce, packed specifically for our members, and picked up at one of our convenient drop-off locations, all summer long.

LEAP also manages the LEAP Kitchen, a shared commercial kitchen and food business incubator, which helps break down barriers to launching a growing successful food businesses in the Roanoke area.

LEAP is part of a coalition of community organizations, Healthy Roanoke Valley, working to help improve the health and wellness of people in the Valley. One of the upcoming projects with Healthy Roanoke Valley is to work with local providers to implement a “fruit and vegetable prescription program.” For more information about what a prescription program could look like, check out Wholesome Wave’s program, a non-profit based in Connecticut.
.