Friday, May 27, 2016

4MRMarket Report: Summer, Is That You?

The Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market (4MRMarket) will be open every Sunday from 9am until 1pm year-round in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. (click here for directions)

Chased indoors week after week by almost winter-like conditions, you may be confused:
look for 4MRMarket OUTSIDE this weekend!
Happy Memorial Day to fallen soldiers and all of the family and friends they left behind.  Thank you time and again for your sacrifice.

Cloudy with a Chance of Summer

Yes Alexandria, we may just learn to trust the weather again.  It seems things are finally turning around!  Unfortunately, it happened so late that it looks like we can just throw that whole "spring" idea out the window.  Summer appears to have settled in early after winter refused to leave, and just in time for Memorial Day.

The good news is, regardless of the weather, you can find our great vendors somewhere on site, inside or out, ready to help you fill your reusable bags with farmers market goodies.

Also, check out the Local Motion tent to learn more about getting around without a car in our great City!

The Vendors!

Here is who you will find at 4MRMarket!

Food Vendors
  • C & T Produce (White Oak, VA) - A huge selection of locally grown produce from a locally, family-run farm in Stafford, Virginia.
  • Montoya's Farm (King George, VA) - Northern Neck farmers specializing in Latin ingredients and many varieties of popular produce.
  • Savory 'N Sweet (Alexandria) - Your local Bulgarian baker! Maker of Savory and Sweet Breads, Breakfast Pastries, Fruit Pies, Breadsticks, and Granola.
  • Second Rising Bakery (Alexandria) - Rebecca bakes delicious breads and cookies that are egg free and made with real butter, honey, and whole grains. Once this new business is up and running, it will help provide women that have been victimized by the sex trade a second chance.
  • She Peppers (Alexandria) - Backyard gardeners who have turned the peppers, vegetables, and herbs that we grow into delicious and unique bbq sauces, pepper sauces, hot sauces, dips, and rubs. She Peppers also sells seeds and seedlings of the various types of peppers, tomatoes, and herbs for patrons.
  • Whole Health (Alexandria) - Organic teas, potpourris, and body scrubs from one of the largest  Message and Acupuncture Therapy businesses in Northern Virginia.
  • Bagel Uprising (Del Ray) - Are you ready to rebel against dry, stale, flavorless bagels? Look no further! Bagel Uprising offers authentic handmade bagels—boiled and baked in small batches—that will satisfy your craving for the real thing. Bagel sales begin at 10am!! 
And the talented Crafters:
  • Felicity's Handcrafted Soaps - (Alexandria) - All Season - Specialty crafter of all-natural hand-made soaps and knitted items
  • Uncommon Knits (Leesburg, VA) - Handwoven linens made with 100% cotton and hand-stitched hems for your kitchen, dining room and bath.
  • Kelly Glass Studio (Purcellville, VA) - Kristy Kelly's artisan glass jewelry, homegoods, and accessories from her studio.
  • Nurture Designs (Alexandria) - Local jewelry artisan 
  • Off this week--Thorn & Thistle (Takoma Park. MD) is a traveling flower shop that visits your local farmer and flea markets. We offer modern, insatiably peculiar and affordable flower arrangements sized moderate to minuscule.​ (every other week starting April 24th)
  • Off this week--Bits N' Booties (Alexandria) - hand-knit baby booties, bows, and other great accessories.
On 4MR Stage, ~10am - Noon

Matt Buchanan plays folk, rock, alternative, and blues, and you may have seen him playing at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub in the past.  Always entertaining, Matt has played at 4MRMarket numerous times throughout the past few years and puts on a great show.

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!

http://www.reverbnation.com/mattbuchanan

Composting at 4MRMarket!

Bring your non-animal-based food scraps in any type of container you choose, or purchase one on-site for a very low fee. Ask for a free coupon book and raffle entry as a thank you!!



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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.

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.

VOLUNTEER. We love help with set-up and tear-down and/or processing SNAP/EBT and Credit / Debit Card sales.  Just find a Market Manager to ask to help, or email us at 4MRMarket@arlandria.org for more info.

FOLLOW. Keep up to date on all the goings on by following 4MRMarket on FacebookTwitterGoogle+, Email 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 to accept SNAP. 
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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.

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