Crop Rapport: McLeans’ Lifestyle and Farmers Market
Posted by Warren Rojas / Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
(Image: Shutterstock)
Metro’s fabled “Silver Line” remains little more skyline-blighting pylons and traffic-snarling lane closures, but McLean businesses are already racing to welcome urban shoppers to their respective folds.
Just look at härth executive chef Thomas Elder.
The paint probably hasn’t even completely dried at his week-old restaurant, but the Gung-ho toque has already turned his attention to getting his companion project, McLeans Lifestyle and Farmers Market, underway.
Elder is still ironing out all the details surrounding the planned Saturday expositions, but suggested that shoppers would be able to patronize some of his favorite local purveyors, including: Martin’s Angus Beef (proteins), Bay View Farm (dairy), Level Green Farm (produce), Chef Eloy Carerra’s Kickin’ Salsas (condiments), Sharpen This (knife/garden tool sharpening service) and Sweetbites mobile cafe (baked goods).
“I’m hoping to incorporate a chef cooking demonstration and other fun activities to include 5K races, bicycle events and a garden tour,” he said of the still-evolving enterprise.
Meanwhile, Inova is on tap to dispense complimentary “lifestyle” instruction.
“They will be doing a weekly lifestyle seminar that will help tie in the fresh products with a healthy lifestyle,” Elder said. “Items we’ve discussed so far are, ‘How to compost in your apartment’ and ‘Apartment gardens,’ along with blood screening and other kinds of health related topics.”
Here’s hoping Elder has better luck with his initiative than the Westover Farmers Market planners appear to be having with theirs.
McLeans’ Lifestyle and Farmers Market: 7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean; Saturdays, 9-1p.m., May 14th – late October
–Warren
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NoVA’s Winter Farmers Markets
Old Town Alexandria Farmers Market • 301 King St., Alexandria – Sat, 5:30-11 a.m.
Arlington Farmers Market • N. 14th St. & N. Courthouse Road, Arlington – Sat, 8-noon
Clarendon Farmers Market • 3100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington – Wed, 3-7 p.m.
Columbia Pike Farmers Market • S. Walter Reed Drive & Columbia Pike – Sun, 9-1 p.m., (summer); Sun, 10-1 p.m. (winter).
Del Ray Farmers Market • E. Oxford & Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria – Sat, 8-noon
Falls Church Farmers Market • 300 Park Ave., Falls Church – Sat, 9-noon (Jan-Mar); Sat, 8-noon (Apr-Dec)
Farmer Girls • 8769 Old Dumfries Road, Catlett; 540-272-7839
Fredericksburg Farmers Market • George and Prince Edward Streets, Fredericksburg – Mon-Sat, 7-6 p.m.; Sun, 12:30-4 p.m.
Leesburg Farmers Market • 20 Catoctin Circle S.E., Leesburg – Sat, 8-noon (May-Oct); Sat, 9-noon (Nov-Apr)
Loudoun Flavor • 39363 Stevens Road, Lovettsville; 703-350-2790
Old Town Manassas Farmers Market •9431 West St., Manassas – Sat, 10-2 p.m.
Purcellville Community Market • 130 E. Main St., Purcellville – Sat, 9-1 p.m.
Smart Markets • 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton – Sat, 10-2 p.m.
Smart Markets • 13297 Gateway Center Drive, Gainesville – Sun, 10:30-1:30 p.m.
Winchester Freight Station Farmers Market • 315 W. Boscawen St., Winchester; Tue, Sat, 10-2 p.m. (Jan-Apr); Tue, Fri, Sat, 8-1 p.m. (May-Dec)
Or click here for our full list of local farmers markets.
Tags: Crop Rapport, farmers' market, food, Gut Check, harth, health care services, Hilton, Inova, McLean, Northern Virginia Magazine, produce, restaurants, shopping, Thomas Elder, Tysons Corner, Warren Rojas