Real Local RVA is a grassroots group of small, independent grocery stores, restaurants, farmers’ markets, farmers, producers and nonprofits dedicated to growing the local food scene in Richmond and the surrounding area. The next member meeting will be at 10:30 a.m., September 12, at Southbound Restaurant in the Stony Point Shopping Center. The group will host its annual Richmond Farm Tour and Cookout, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on September 24.

Colin Beirne, marketing director of Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market, states, “The idea that it’s better to collaborate than to compete has been a foundational belief of the group. Members fall into two categories, participant and supporter, and are steered by the founding members with the goal to organize all members for purposes of economic and business development.”

Real Local RVA started in 2014 as an informal round table under the name Local Food Group, and has honed its purpose to include a diverse array of informed, passionate and creative local food supporters. Founding members are Rick Hood, Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market; Michelle Williams, Richmond Restaurant Group; Joe Sparatta, Southbound/Heritage; Lee Gregory, Southbound/The Roosevelt; Donnie Caffery, Good Foods Grocery and Buster Wright and David Taylor, Libbie Market.

For more information, visit RealLocalRVA.com.