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TextFairfax County Farmers Markets Open 2012 Season
As in years past, the first week of May signals the opening of the Fairfax County Farmers Markets. Wednesday, May 2, 2012 is the kick-off day with the McCutcheon/Mt. Vernon, Oak Marr and Wakefield markets all opening for the first time this season. The rest of the 11 markets sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Authority will be opening throughout the week and will remain open through November.
The Fairfax County Farmers Markets are a “producer-only”, locally grown, market system. All vendors come from within a 125-mile radius from Fairfax County and must grow or produce all products they sell at the market. The farmers markets offer shoppers the opportunity to ask questions and connect with farmers and producers whose food and plants they buy. Supporting local farmers helps preserve farmland while protecting the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
In May, the markets are teeming with the early season harvest of strawberries, asparagus, spring onions, salad greens, radishes, Swiss chard and beets. Late season apples carefully kept in cold storage are as crisp as the day they were picked. If you want to start your own herb garden, potted herbs to include sage, lavender, oregano, thyme, parsley, cilantro, rosemary, chives, dill and basil are available. For the backyard gardeners there are pepper and tomato plants. Other annual flowers and hanging baskets round out the plant offerings. Perennial and annual plants and flowers are available throughout the market season.
Other fare at the farmers’ markets include artisan breads, cheeses, beef, pork, chicken, sausages, fresh farm eggs, salsas, hummus, jams, jellies, pickles, honey, pasta, pesto, goat cheese spreads, ice cream and fresh milk and milk products. New products added this year include hot sauce, kale chips and fresh-made mustards!
For a Produce Guide of harvest times go online.
For more information, including locations, directions and a list of vendors at each market go online or contact the Community Horticulture Office at 703-642-0128.
Buy Direct From
Food-Producing Parks
A couple of Fairfax County parks produce local food. Eggs off the farm and grain from Colvin Run Mill are available at the Frying Pan Farm Park Country Store, which will be open during Farmers Market hours. Frying Pan's animals also are into locally produced food, because some of the corn and hay they eat is grown on the farm. Manure from the site's horse shows fertilizes the crops. Frying Pan Historian Yvonne Johnson says, "We almost complete the cycle here."
Colvin Run Mill is part of the local food chain. Johnson says, "Whatever they have in stock we try to have here" at the farm. Besides the store at Frying Pan and the mill's general store, corn meal and whole wheat flour ground at the historic mill is available at the Maple Avenue Market in Vienna. Three area restaurants use Colvin Run's grain - The Cock and Bowl in Occoquan, the Maple Avenue Restaurant in Vienna, and elements at the Hyatt Dulles Hotel near Dulles Airport.
"I was introduced to Colvin Run Mill through the 4-H festival at Frying Pan Farm Park last year," said Executive Chef Matthew Warschaw of elements. Using local food is "part of the restaurant philosophy," he said, adding "I think the benefit is exposure for the guests" to what is available locally.
So take the pro's tip, and head out to a local farmers market this summer.
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