Eat healthy, be eco-friendly, save money, grow your own produce! When an amateur gardener’s springtime dreams of fresh, colorful, luscious vegetables and fruits meet the disillusioning midsummer reality of blight, caterpillars, rot and fungi, a trip to the farmers market is the next best thing. All that firm, fragrant, wonderful produce is there in abundance, plus a bunch of stuff you’d probably never try to grow or make at home! If you ask, the pros will even explain what you did wrong and give you advice for next year.
There are dozens of seasonal farmers markets in Northern Virginia. Here are some favorites, plus a few year-round markets and a link to find others near your home or workplace. Note: Many of these markets are temporarily set up under tents with limited power and connectivity. Bring cash!
SmartMarkets operates weekly farmers markets at various northern Virginia locations every day except Monday. The Centreville market at 5875 Trinity Center is open on Fridays, 3:30-6:30 PM, through October 29. On a recent visit, not all the vendors attended – the weather was threatening thunderstorms – but there were still many customers for the three farms offering produce, three selling local meats, a dairy, including goat cheese, butter, yogurt and ice cream, and an assortment of vendors with baked goods, pasta, wines, jellies, salsas, dips, and handcrafted soaps. There’s even a knife sharpening service so you can cut and chop your purchases with ease! See http://smartmarkets.org/our-markets.html for a list of market locations, dates and vendors.
Manassas Farmers Market
Old Town Manassas has hosted a farmers market twice a week for years and years! It’s a fun location – in addition to the farmers market, browse through a few of the shops and enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants. Open on Thursdays, 7 AM to 1:30 PM in the Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center Street in Old Town Manassas through Nov 4 and on Saturdays 7 AM to 2:30 PM in parking lot B at the Train Depot, through Oct. 30. Parking can be tricky in Old Town, so take advantage of the free parking garage on Prince William Street. Check the website http://media.visitmanassas.org/?p=175 for vendor lists and information.
Cox Farms Market
Cox Farms operate two markets, in Centreville and Vienna, with seasonal merchandise most of the year. Fresh local produce is sold daily from the beginning of July through the Fall Festival season. Tomatoes, corn, melons, squash, peaches, apples, and about a half dozen varieties of hot peppers were available on a recent visit, all at very reasonable prices. The origin of the produce is clearly labeled. Jams, jellies, sauces and honey are also sold. Bring the kids to check out the llamas and goats in Centreville! Both locations are open daily, 9 AM to 7 PM. Centreville number is (703) 543-6305 and Vienna is (703) 281-0165. See website for further info and directions, http://coxfarms.com/Default.aspx?p=7.
Stoneybrook Farm Market
Stoneybrook is a certified organic farm that recently opened a permanent year-round market at the corner of 690 and Route 9 in Hillsboro, about 9 miles west of Leesburg. It’s a great stop on a day trip to Charles Town, Harpers Ferry, or area vineyards. Stoneybrook Farm Market is open Sunday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM. The market offers local meats, organic dairy, vegetables and fruit, herbs, fair trade coffee, and their own bread, pies, pastries, smoothies, and fresh juices. Address is 37091 Charlestown Pike, Hillsboro, VA 20132. Stoneybrook also operates a Community Supported Agriculture member program. Details are available on their website, http://stoneybrookfarm.org/newsite/index.php?id=4 .
There are many seasonal farmers markets beyond the favorites listed here, and their popularity continues to grow. Fairfax County sponsors twelve popular markets through the Park Authority, some of which are open into late November. See http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/wp-farm-mkt.htm for locations and details. Additionally, the Washington Post published a Farmers Market interactive Guide with the handy view of markets open by day of the week at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsandliving/foodanddining/features/2010/farmers-markets/index.html. You may need to register on the Washington Post site to access the Guide.
