The return of summer also means the arrival of the area’s farmers’ markets and the delicious fresh produce, meats, plants, eggs and cheeses they bring. Supporting your local farmers’ market helps keep farming profitable and preserves regional farmland—all at a fun, cost-effective, community gathering. Be sure to check out these weekly events to stock up on goods from your local merchants and farmers!
Wednesdays
Wakefield Farmers’ Market
Located in Wakefield Park off Braddock Road in Annandale, the Wakefield Farmers’ Market is a “producer-only” farmers’ market, whose mission is to support local agriculture within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed area. Vendors must grow, raise, or produce the products that they take to market. Vendors with value-added products, such as baked goods, sauces, specialty meat products, jams and jellies are expected to buy local raw ingredients for their products whenever possible. In keeping with their mission to support farmers and producers within a 125 mile radius, the Wakefield Farmers’ Market offers a wide array of vegetables, fruits, pork, beef, cheeses, baked goods, jams, cider, salsas, potted plants, cut flowers, honey, herbs and teas and homemade ice cream.
Smart Markets at Reston Station
1900 Reston Station Blvd, Reston, VA 20190
3pm–7pm
Smart Markets at Reston Station offers produce, meats, poultry and other foods—all fresh and local! This year, Fossil Rock Farm is offering a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program which can make shopping at the market a little easier and save some time, too. With a CSA, you will signup for a subscription to the farm’s products and be able to pick up a box each week.
Leesburg Wednesday Farmers’ Market
Virginia Village Shopping Center, Catoctin Circle, 3pm – 6pm
With limited space at their Saturday market, many new vendors opt for the mid-week market. It is their chance to show you what they’ve got, so take advantage of it! Local honey from a woman-owned business, milk—something customers have been calling for for years, as well as teas, herbs, fruits, vegetables, sauces, and plenty of meats make up the Wednesday market selection. Dancing Cow Farm also serves up hot burgers and sandwiches with meats fresh from their local farm, so if you’re free during the week, go on by for some great food and merchandise from the area.
Thursdays
Herndon Farmers’ Market
Featuring a wide selection of local meat and produce vendors, as well as sweets, breads, frozen fruit pops, and vegan products. On several market days throughout the summer, shows and performances for kids are held on the Town Green – check their website for the full schedule. There will also be a Master Gardener Plant Clinic on site to answer questions about plants in your landscape. Bring your questions and/or your plants to see what type of care they need to thrive. Bring the whole family to this community event!
Fridays
McLean Farmers’ Market
A huge variety of fresh fruit and produce await you—provided by our favorite farmers traveling from Caroline, Orange, and Westmoreland Counties in Virginia and the Buchannan Valley in Pennsylvania. That’s only a handful of the rich and diverse community of local producers you’ll find at the McLean Farmers’ market. Every week the Fairfax County Master Gardener Plant Clinic has a tent in front of the market, so stop by and take advantage of in-person answers to your plant and landscaping questions.
Saturdays
Reston Farmers’ Market
The Farmers and Crafters return to Lake Anne, kicking of the return to browsing crafts, catching some fun music, and sampling some fabulous farmer wares. The Market commences with the farmers opening shop at 8am and the Crafters ready to sell by 9am. There will be music in front of Reston’s Used Book Shop starting at 11am. Come by and say hello to your neighbors!
One Loudoun Farmers’ Market
North end of Exchange Street, One Loudoun
8am-12pm
Vendors come from within a 125 mile radius of Leesburg; far superior to anything at the local big box grocery store. The One Loudoun Farmers’ Market provides goods from a variety of Pennsylvania fruit farms and Northern Neck vegetable growers. If you want to choose just Loudoun farmers you can do that too— the choice is yours! At the market you will find fresh fruits and vegetables that were picked the day before. There are even some farmers who pick right before they head to the market. That is fresh. The bakers are all busy baking Thursday and Friday to bring you fresh-from-the-oven goodness.
Be sure to ask a vendor the best way to store your purchases. A paper towel in with lettuce may help keep things from getting wilted. Putting herbs in water will make them ready for your needs for several days. The guy in the local produce department? He may be able to tell you a few things but he won’t know as much as the guys that grow it!
