Fredericksburg Area Museum

We are pleased to welcome another Sustainability Award holder, Fredericksburg Area Museum!

The museum is the steward and central location of Fredericksburg City’s history. They house the stories and artifacts that weave the historical fabric of Fredericksburg within the three-story building on the corner of Sophia and William Street.

Inside, you might find a recipe for Lafayette Gingerbread or a roulette wheel from Summer Carnival Island. You’ll also find the tangled histories whose effects still linger such as Fredericksburg’s difficult past with Civil Rights. FAM is hiring a Curator of African American History and Special Projects in their mission to tell the most inclusive narrative of Fredericksburg.

Currently they are collecting object print material on the current pandemic. FAM seeks to capture the unprecedented events which are unfolding fresh before our eyes. FAM finds itself in a unique position to record this historical event and its effects on the community as it progresses.

FAM is currently hosting Sounds of Summer each second Friday of the Month through October 8th. They rotate their featured exhibits so you’re sure to find another piece of Fredericksburg’s history each time you visit! Follow their page @FredericksburgAreaMuseum for updates on events and featured exhibits.

PONSHOP

Please give a warm welcome to our next featured Sustainability Award holder, Ponshop!

Since Ponshop's inception in 2010, Scarlett and Gabriel Pons have curated Ponshop to serve as an informational source for creatives. They promote creativity to foster a stronger community and be a catalyst of positive change in Fredericksburg.

Their connections to the community and beyond are numerous, tangled, and strong. The team describes Ponshop as a multifaceted gallery, retail store, and classroom. But they also work closely with small businesses and the youth community for collaborations, ambitious murals, commissions, event hosting and more.

Their shop features fine art, ceramics, and handmade items with a focus on the Virginia region. Scarlett tells us that she can take months to select certain artisanal products for the shop and gushes about how she’s watched Ponshop’s current featured artists such as Margeaux Ducoing evolve and grow their craft. Scarlett's and Gabriel's own fine art, designs, and ceramic wares can be found in the shop as well.

Scarlett announced that there are two things to look forward to this October! First Fridays are coming around again, so be sure to stop in October 1st at 712 Caroline Street. Scarlett is also putting together a Nepali festival for this month as the Arts and Cultural Chair of the Nepal Exchange Board. Follow @Ponshop for updates on their various endeavors

Fred Food Co-op

Please welcome another Sustainability Award holder, Fredericksburg Food Co-op!

The Food Co-op has rooted itself into the community and has become a hub for locally sourced food, entertainment, lifestyle education and so much more. They had their grand opening in May, yet some folks might not have visited yet.

It is for and owned by the community. They stress they are not a members-only club -- everyone is welcome to shop, dine, or enjoy events. Anyone can also become an owner; you pay a one-time ownership investment which can be split over several payments. Ownership comes with perks including 10% off sale prices, 15% off special orders, and owners earn shares when the Co-op creates a profit.

They source many of their foods from upwards of 60 local businesses and farmers including Juan More Taco, Foode, and Thompson's Trading Post. If you come by, be sure to grab a bite to eat or sidle up to the smoothie bar. Chris, the general manager, vouches that the patio is a great place grab breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

The food waste gets handed off to folks at Generation Compost and is eventually donated to local farmers. It is truly a “farm to table… to farm again” system!

Supporting our local Food Co-op is supporting the local community. They are working hard to ensure equitable access to fresh food regardless of income, as well as support and collaborate with local businesses, organizations, and artists. We are rooting for the Food Co-op and are excited to see how they develop and grow over the next few years. Stop in and have a look yourself or be sure to say hello to the folks at the Co-op table at the Fredericksburg Farmer's Market!