Friday, May 23, 2014

4MRMarket Report: "The Produce (Selection) Grows!" Edition

It's still early in the season, but C&T Produce has a lot on offer already. Things like summer squash, beets, kohlrabi, tomatoes, potatoes, asparagus, sugar snap peas, and the list goes on! Come out and enjoy the great selection and the great weather!

It should be near 80 degrees and mostly sunny on Sunday. What better way to take advantage than to buy some fresh produce, pasture raised beef, naturally raised pork, artisanal Amish cheese, fresh baked bread and pastries, and so much more! Then, grab a coffee or tea and watch the show!

This Week on 4MR Stage

Matt Tarka will be on stage from 10-noon this Sunday!
Matt Tarka on the 4MR Stage on Sunday!

Matt Tarka is a singer/songwriter whose introspective lyrics and sharp rhythms are designed for your back porch or a ride into town. Tarka’s songs can jolt you like a conversation with an old friend, picking up right where you left off on the trail. He has been compared to rockers turned folk artists including Kevin Seconds, Vic Ruggiero, Jesse Malin, TV Smith and Gene Clark.

He can be found performing his brand of folk rock at such venues as Axum Lounge (DC), The Velvet Lounge (DC), The Ottobar (Baltimore), MilkBoy Coffee/The Fire/Dawson Street Pub (Philadelphia), among many others.

Tarka recorded his debut EP in July 2011 titled Motorcycle Breakfast, produced by Dave Mallen. This collection of songs delivers a poignant message in a somewhat playful and endearing way. DC Rock Live’s David Hintz writes: “The best of his style are the vocal lines he writes that are simple enough on the face of things, but have a few hooky moments that bring his songs to life.”
Remember, these musicians volunteer their time on Sunday mornings to make yours even brighter! They graciously accept tips and friendly applause, so please help support music at the market!

Composting at 4MRMarket

Bring your (non-animal) food scraps to 4MRMarket in any type of container you choose, or purchase one on-site for a very low fee. You'll be rewarded with a small bag of very fine soil for your gardening needs.
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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 -- aka The Stifler Farm. Farm-raised Black Angus beef, humanely raised on lush pasture fields of the Shenandoah Valley, naturally farmed pork, and of course, 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 
  • St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and always a few extra goodies!
  • Sweet 'N Savory (Alexandria) - Your local Bulgarian baker! Maker of Savory and Sweet Breads, Breakfast Pastries, Fruit Pies, Breadsticks, and Granola.
The Artisans
  • Felicity's Handcrafted Soaps - (Alexandria) Crafter of hand-made soaps and knitted items.
  • Perigee Tribal and Wildlife Art - (Virginia) Elena works with a number of coops in Africa and Peru and carries beaded dog collars from the Kenyan Collection, Tinga Tinga Paintings from Tanzania, Monkeybiz beaded animals from South Africa, and other items from artisans from Peru.
  • Charlette Marie Beauty (Centreville, VA) - A naturally effective, eco-friendly, line of handmade bath and body skin care goodies. Her products are made with bio-dynamic, natural botanical active ingredients.
  • Others pending!


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 9am until 1pm from April 27th 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