More About the New Farmer's Market

I mentioned before that a new Farmer's Market had just opened on Wed's morning in Fair Lakes. When I walked over this past Weds, there were significantly fewer vendors than the previous week. For example, there was only one vegetable seller down from four the previous week. There were no plant vendors, where there had been two the previous week.

I am worried that the vendors at the market hadn't been seeing enough business and were discouraged. This is a very bad sign, since if the vendors pull out, there is no way the market can succeed. I am a strong proponent of local farmer's markets, and feel they are the best way that consumers can keep their shopping dollars away from giant agribusinesses. Most chain grocery stores go with the cheapest option; not the healthiest option or the option with the lowest carbon footprint. Late last summer, at the height of tomato season, I saw a basket of heirloom tomatoes for sale at my local Safeway that were imported from Canada. I was able to get fresher, tastier heirloom tomatoes at my local farmer's market for less money than the grocery store was charging.

The Fair Lakes farmer's market is open every Weds. from 8am-1pm in the parking lot of the Whole Foods and is managed by Smart Markets, Inc; a new non-profit dedicated to providing direct producer-sales in the Northern Virginia area. I want to strongly encourage everyone to visit either this market or one of the other Smart Markets over the next couple weeks to show support for our local producers. You might even be lucky enough to meet Emeril!