One of the great pleasures of staying at Sunset Farm is cooking in a well-stocked kitchen surrounded by beautiful countryside — and this area makes it wonderfully easy to shop well. Whether you want to stock the fridge before you arrive, run out for a quick top-up, find an unusual ingredient for a special dinner, or simply indulge in a spectacular sandwich on fresh-baked bread, there’s a shop here for every mood and mission.
Here’s the guide I give every guest — starting right outside our door and working outward to Charlottesville.
Start Here: Crozet & Just Down the Road
Minutes from Sunset Farm Stay
Crozet Great Valu (Crozet Market)
5728 Three Notched Rd · Crozet, VA · Closest grocery to Sunset Farm
🏡 Sarah’s Top Pick for Convenience: This is your first stop for everyday grocery needs — the closest store to Sunset Farm Stay by far. Don’t be fooled by the size: this independent local market has almost everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay, and the convenience of being right around the corner is hard to beat. A local institution, run by real neighbors.
Greenwood Gourmet Grocery
6701 Rockfish Gap Turnpike · Crozet, VA • Wed–Sun (check hours)
⭐ A Personal Favorite — Do Not Miss! Greenwood Gourmet Grocery is one of the most beloved food stops in the entire region. Built on the foundations of a traditional roadside fruit stand in 1999 by owners Nina Promisel and David Atwell, it has grown into a true neighborhood institution — part gourmet market, part sandwich shop, part exceptional wine and craft beer emporium. It is also a gourmet market. You can find organic meat, cheeses, a wide range of condiments, staples, & random, wonderful, and tasty items. Fresh bread from Albemarle Baking Company arrives daily, local produce fills the shelves, and the kitchen churns out legendary sandwiches on weekends (the Landrace and the Berkshire are among the best sandwiches you’ll have anywhere). The natural wine and local craft beer selection is one of the finest in the area. On a beautiful day, grab a sandwich and eat at a picnic table outside. You will come back every day.
Harris Teeter
Radford Ln, Charlottesville, VA (but it is really in the Crozet area)
A large, well-stocked grocery store that punches above its weight for a market this size — Harris Teeter carries a broad range of quality products alongside a full pharmacy, making it ideal for a comprehensive pre-arrival shop or a big weekly stock-up. Good selection of fresh seafood, meat, and prepared foods. Reliable and convenient. There are several more HT’s in Cville.
Charlottesville: Specialty & Gourmet
About 15-20 minutes from Sunset Farm · For the food lovers and curious cooks
Anderson’s Seafood and Catering
2839 Ivy Rd · Charlottesville, VA • Thurs 12 - 5 pm, Fri & Sat 11 am - 5 pm
⭐ A Personal Favorite — The BEST Fish & Shellfish in town: Anderson’s Seafood & Catering is a 97-year-old, respected Charlottesville business. They used to have a storefront, but to simplify their business model and still deliver the very best seafood, they simplified – I kid you not – They sell their seafood out of a pop-up tent on the roadside, on Rt 250, across from the entrance to the Board’s Head. Sushi-grade salmon, halibut, cod, shrimp, oysters, crab, scallops, and many other fish. You can also pick up lemons, cocktail sauce, and some seafood spreads. Delicious. I have not used their catering services.
Foods of All Nations
2121 Ivy Rd · Charlottesville, VA · Mon–Sat 7:30am–7pm, Sun 10am–5pm
⭐ A Personal Favorite — A True Charlottesville Institution: Foods of All Nations has been part of the fabric of Charlottesville since 1955 — making it one of the oldest continuously operating independent grocers in Virginia. What began as a small specialty shop has grown into something genuinely remarkable: an international market where French escargot sits next to Virginia honey, where Greek olives share an aisle with Indian spices, and where the deli counter serves THE BEST fresh sushi, made-to-order sandwiches, and rotating soups that draw a devoted daily crowd. The cheese and charcuterie selection is exceptional. The wine department spans Virginia vineyards and celebrated international labels with equal care. Staff have worked here for decades, know customers by name, and will happily help you track down that one ingredient you can’t find anywhere else.
Charlottesville: The Major Grocery Stores
About 20 minutes from Sunset Farm · For a full grocery run
Trader Joe’s
2025 Bond St • Charlottesville, VA
Classic Trader Joe’s — and all the wonderful things that entails. Excellent value on quality staples, a great selection of snacks and pantry essentials, beloved frozen meals, good wine at honest prices, and those distinctive seasonal items that make regulars genuinely excited. If you’re a TJ’s household, you’ll be relieved to know there’s one a short drive away. Perfect for stocking the farm’s pantry before a long stay.
Whole Foods Market
1797 Hydraulic Rd • Charlottesville, VA
All things Whole Foods — organic produce, premium meats, an outstanding prepared foods section, a solid cheese counter, and a wide selection of specialty and health-conscious products. Particularly useful for guests with dietary restrictions or those who prefer organic and natural brands across the board. The prepared foods bar is a great option if you’d rather not cook on arrival night.1797 Hydraulic Rd · Charlottesville, VA
Sarah’s Shopping Game Plan for Guests
- Before you arrive: Consider ordering from Whole Foods or Harris Teeter for delivery or curbside pickup timed to your arrival — the farm’s kitchen is well-equipped and it’s wonderful to walk in to a stocked fridge.
- Day one essentials: The Crozet Market (Great Valu) is your closest option for anything you forgot — basics, beverages, snacks, and more, just minutes from the farm.
- The Greenwood sandwich run: On a nice morning, a detour to Greenwood Gourmet Grocery for fresh bread, local provisions, and a weekend sandwich is one of the rituals guests come back for. Combine it with a winery visit on the same road.
- The food lover’s afternoon: Head to Foods of All Nations on Ivy Road in Charlottesville for specialty ingredients, exceptional cheese, and deli lunch. Pair it with a stop at Be Just or Scarpa next door for a full afternoon out. If you are a major FOODIE – check out Feast! It is close to downtown Charlottesville for cheese, charcuterie, pickles, & sandwiches to go.
- Big shop before a long stay: Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods are both excellent for stocking the Farm for a multi-day stay. The combination of both covers almost anything you’d want.