Virginia Garden Organic Grocery

 You know you've got a good thing going when running out for groceries feels like a bonafide outing. Anouk and I love going to the Virginia Garden Organic Grocery (at the Virginia Beach Farmer's Market). Here are a few reasons why:

While there are many food vendors with local and naturally grown produce at the VB Farmer's Market, there's also a lot of traditionally grown stuff, too--meaning the same watermelons and grapes you see at your local Kroger. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference. In addition to a focus on local foods, virtually everything at the Virginia Garden Grocery is organically grown or humanely raised: fruits, veggies, meats (we are big fans of the grass-fed beef), fish, eggs, dairy, and dry goods (locally-milled flour!) If you're unsure, the staff is knowledgeable enough to ask, and if they don't have something you want, you can request it (Anouk's stomach gets a little funky with too much cow's milk, so today I put in for goat's milk on the spur of the moment, hoping that will be better.)

Bonus points: it's just a short walk to the Oberweis dairy stall for ice cream cones, best eaten on the grass watching the jets from Oceana practice overhead.

Having the cutest shopper-helper in the world is a bonus, too.