Friday, November 22, 2013

4MRMarket Report: "We Give Thanks to...YOU!" Edition

This is your last chance in 2013!
This Sunday will be the last of the season for 4MRMarket.

We'd like to thank you for being the force that keeps the market going. And what better way to give thanks to all of the vendors that work so hard to bring you all 4MRMarket has to offer than to show up and give them a big season-ending send off!!

Where else can you get local, sustainably raised produce, antibiotic and hormone free beef, pork, and eggs, and artisan cheeses and, expertly blended teas, hand-crafted soaps and body care products, and a host of other locally made crafts right in your backyard?!

You no doubt need sweet potatoes, pumpkins, green beans, and a huge array of other fruits and veggies from C&T Produce to make your Turkey Day feast, so come see us this Sunday.

And why not provide a roasty alternative this Thanksgiving with some roast beef or pork as a second option? What's For Dinner Now (aka, Stifler's Farm) will be happy to help you out. And be sure to stock your freezer up with the Stifler's great beef and pork so you don't have to miss it too much this winter! It's time to get your goodies while you can!


Compost!

The returns are in
& we're gonna need
a bigger bin!
Do you have (non-animal based) food scraps to bring back to 4MRMarket for composting this weekend? If you got an under-counter compost bin for $5 a couple weeks ago, you probably do. Even if you didn't get a bin, you can still bring your kitchen scraps back for composting if you've been collecting them anyway. Every little bit helps!


4MRMarket Vendors this week:
  • C &T Produce (White Oak, VA) - A huge selection of locally grown produce from a locally, family-run farm in Stafford, Virginia.
  • What's For Dinner Now  -  The Stifler Farm: Farm-raised Black Angus (hormone and antibiotic free) beef, humanely raised on lush pasture fields of the Shenandoah Valley, naturally farmed pork...and now... Uncle Frank's Grilling Sauce!!
  • Tom's Amish Cheese Store (Lancaster, PA) - Artisan Cheese and yogurt, farm-fresh eggs, and Pennsylvania honey.
  • Whole Health (Alexandria) - Organic teas and body scrubs from one of the largest Message and Acupuncture Therapy businesses in Northern Virginia 
  • Raining Cats &Dogs (Alexandria) - Gourmet Organic and Gluten Free Pet Treats
  • Ekaa, Hands That Create (Columbia, Maryland) Hand-crafted Home and Fashion accessories.
See below all the ways to help and participate in the market!

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The supercool 4MRMarket t-shirt
BUY. Proceeds of our 4MRMarket T-shirts go to support the expansion and revitalization of 4MR Park. They cost $12 and come in 4 colors. See us model a few at the market.  You can pre-pay online via Pay-Pal (send money to 4MRM@arlandria.org).

DONATE. Help 4MRMarket help 4MRPark. Tax-deductible donations can be made to support us in our efforts to revitalize Four Mile Run Park. Donate to the City's Living Landscape Fund to fund tree and other amenities at 4MRExpand More information here.

HELP. If you'd like to volunteer with the 4MRMarket, come talk to us any Sunday. You'll be able to volunteer to help process SNAP/EBT and Credit / Debit Card sales, help us keep our books, help set up or tear down for the market, or help us find musicians to play the market. You can also find a Market Manager to ask to help, or email us at 4MRMarket@arlandria.org for more info.

READ. Keep up to date on all the goings on by following 4MRMarket on FacebookTwitterGoogle+ or via our website and blog.


SPREAD THE WORD.  Please tell folks about us. And tell folks about some of the great things we're doing. For instance, all SNAP/EBT participants can take advantage of the Inova-sponsored "Double Dollar" program again this year that doubles the first $10 SNAP participants spend at the market. 4MRMarket is the first farmers’ market in Northern Virginia (and still the only) to accept SNAP. And C&T Produce now accepts SFMNP vouchers!
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Buy Fresh Buy Local 4MRMarket products.
The Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market (Alexandria, Virginia 22305) brings fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels, provide an opportunity for local artisans and producers of goods to bring their wares to market, strive to reflect the diversity of the community, and improve the quality of life for Arlandria residents and visitors. It is part of an overall vision to expand and improve Four Mile Run park and the surrounding neighborhood.

4MRMarket is open every Sunday from 8am until 1pm from April 14th until November in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. 

For more info see: http://www.4mrmarket.org/
On Facebook: facebook.com/4MRMarket
On Twitter: @4MRMarket
Contact us at: 4MRMarket@arlandria.org
Or call the 4MRMarket hotline: (804) 4mi-Run1