Saturday, June 28, 2014

4MRMarket Report: Is This Your Jam?!

Little Hedgehog Jams joins
4MRMarket Sunday! (image source)
We welcome new vendor Little Hedgehog Jams to 4MRMarket this weekend. Since we can't resist a pun, we also need to point out that we'll have jams both on the 4MR Stage AND in our new vendor's tent! Little Hedgehog Jams is a boutique jam and jelly company "proudly based in Alexandria, VA."

Their jams are low sugar and made using local ingredients. They'll have Strawberry-Vanilla Preserves, Strawberry-Balsamic Jelly, Blueberry-Vanilla Jelly, Blueberry Rhubarb Jam, and Blueberry Honeyed Jam on hand this weekend!

That's sort of the opposite of the Gillian Thompson Project, who will be on stage this Sunday from 10am to noon. Their jams are oh so sweet and have been honed on both local and international stages!

We will also have a favorite crafter from last season back at 4MRMarket this weekend!  Ekaa, Hands that Create will return for the first time this season. Proprietor Ritu Sudershan carries an assortment of upscale hand-crafted home and fashion accessories. Check out her popular styles this weekend!

In other news, What's For Dinner Now will be back this weekend after an unplanned break last week. They will be at 4MRMarket every other week for awhile as they take some time off to spend with family.

This Week on 4MR Stage

Local group the Gillian Thompson Project will be on the 4MR Stage from 10am-Noon this Sunday!
Catch The Gillian Thompson Project this weekend on the 4MR Stage!
Gillian is a musician, teacher, and budding songwriter. She has been wowing audiences on local and international stages all her life. Her fiery vocals will keep you coming back for more.  See a sample of the bands live performance of "I Can't Stand the Rain"!

Our 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.
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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.
  • Little Hedgehog Jams (Alexandria) - A boutique jam and jelly company proudly based in Alexandria, VA. Come try their unique, low-sugar flavors! They are committed to using local ingredients and supporting local businesses whenever possible. (Also find them on facebook).
The Artisans
  • Felicity's Handcrafted Soaps - (Alexandria) This specialty crafter of hand-made soaps and knitted items will be at the market every other Sunday!
  • 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.

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