The Fairfax County Park Authority is looking to take composting at the Farmers Market to a whole new level by recycling 4 tons – 8,000 pounds – of compost during the month of June.

Expanding from a successful pilot program in 2022, all 10 farmers market locations now include food scrap drop-off sites where customers can dispose of food waste to be composted. During the month of May, customers brought 7,400 pounds of food waste – 3.7 tons – to the market drop-off sites for composting. The Park Authority is utilizing Veteran Compost and Future Acres Urban Farming to assist with food scrap collection.

Compostable food waste may be brought to the farmers markets in any type of container, but if you use a regular plastic bag, you will need to empty the bag into the collection container and throw the bag away separately. A complete list of items available for collection can be found at the Composting webpage.

From June 18 to July 1, customers who drop off their food scraps at any of the 10 market locations will have the opportunity to receive a free bag of compost. The Park Authority will be providing free compost bins to customers who bring food scraps to the farmers markets between June 25 and July 1, while supplies last.

Help us reach our goal and learn about the benefits of composting your food waste. A complete list of farmers market times dates and locations, visit the Farmers Market website.

For more information about composting in the markets, please contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.