Two Ways to Celebrate: August 7 -13 is National and VA Farmers Market Week

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, August 8th, 2011

You have not one, but two reasons to celebrate seasonal, locally grown produce and the hard-working women and men who bring it to you rain or shine. This year, Gov. Bob McDonnell proclaimed August 7 -13 Virginia Farmer’s Market Week, in order to coincide with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s proclamation of this year’s National Farmers Market Week.

In advance of National Farmers Market Week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued its annual report, the 2011 National Farmers Market Directory. The data was collected by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. Between April 18 and June 24, 2011, farmers market managers from across the nation were asked to self-report on a voluntary basis. According to the accumulated data:

-7,175 farmers markets currently operate throughout the United States

-More than 1,000 new markets were recorded in the last year, representing a 17% growth since 2010

-There has been rapid market growth outside the Far West and Northeast states (where farmers markets are more established) in states such as Alaska (up 46%) and Texas (up 38%)

-Only about 12% of the reported markets have the capability of accepting SNAP benefits on site, which represents a 16% increase since 2010

The national market directory allows you to search markets by state and for those within a certain mileage of an area code, as well as for available products and types of payment accepted. Virginia has 172 self-reported market entries in the directory. To access the USDA National Farmers Market Directory, click here.

In honor of Virginia’s very own Farmer’s Market Week (with the apostrophe, unlike its national counterpart), the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services  is seeking submissions for its 2nd Annual Photo Contest. Capture a scene from your favorite Virginia market–anything from the vendors, the customers, performers, and special events, to Animal, Vegetable, Miracle–for a chance to win a Virginia Grown/Virginia Finest Prize Package valued at $100. You have until August 17 to submit your entry to the photography panel, which will choose winners in the following  three categories:

-children up to and including the age of 12
-children from ages 13 to 18
-adults (19 and over)

In addition to these photographer winners, the Virginia farmers market with the most entries will be awarded a special prize.  Winners will be announced on or before August 26, 2011. For the entry form, and for more information on the contest, click here.

-Johnisha M. Levi

Northern Virginia’s Farmers Markets and Hours

Annandale Farmers Market • 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale – Thu, 8-noon
Arlington Farmers Market • N. 14th St. & N. Courthouse Road, Arlington – Sat, 8-noon
Ashburn Farmers Market • 44036 Pipeline Plaza, Ashburn – Sat, 8-noon
Ballston Farmers Market • N. Stuart St. & N. Ninth St. – Thu, 3-7 p.m.
Brambleton Farmers Market • 22875 Brambleton Plaza, Ashburn – Sun, 9-1 p.m.
Burke Farmers Market • 5671 Roberts Parkway, Burke – Sat, 8-noon
Cascades Farmers Market • 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling – Sun, 9-1 p.m.
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.
Community Farmers Market • West & Main Streets (Sat), North St. & Old Lee Highway (Sun), Fairfax – Sat: 8-1 p.m.; Sun: 10-2 p.m.
Crystal City Farmers Market • Crystal Square Arcade between S. 18th and 20th Streets – Tue, 3-7 p.m.
Culpeper Farmers Market • E. Davis & Commerce Streets – Sat, 7:30-noon
Dale City Farmers Market • Dale Blvd. & Minnieville Road, Dale City – Sun, 8-1 p.m.
Del Ray Farmers’ Market • E. Oxford & Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria – Sat, 8-noon
Fairfax Farmers Market • 3720 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax – Tue, 8-noon
Falls Church Farmers Market • 300 Park Ave., Falls Church – Sat, 8-noon
Fredericksburg Farmers Market• George and Prince Edward Streets, Fredericksburg – Mon-Sat, 7-6 p.m.; Sun, 12:30-4 p.m.
Frying Pan Farmers Market • 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon – Wed, 8-12:30 p.m.
Great Falls Farmers Market • 750 Walker Road, Great Falls – Sat, 9-1 p.m.
Haymarket Farmers Market • 1500 Washington St., Haymarket – Sat, 8-2 p.m.
Herndon Farmers Market • Lynn and Station Streets, Herndon – Thu, 8-noon
Kingstowne Farmers Market • Kingstowne Center & Kingstowne Blvd., Franconia – Fri, 4-7 p.m.
Leesburg Farmers Market • 20 Catoctin Circle S.E., Leesburg – Sat, 8-noon
Lorton Farmers Market • 8990 Lorton Station Blvd., Lorton – Sun, 9-1 p.m.
McLean Farmers Market • 1659 Chain Bridge Road, McLean – Fri, 8-noon
Middleburg Farmers Market • 300 W. Washington St., Middleburg – Sat, 8-noon
Mount Vernon Farmers Market • 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria – Tue, 8-noon
Nokesville Farmers Market • 13005 Fitzwater Drive, Nokesville – Sat, 8-noon
Oakton Farmers Market • 3200 Jermantown Road, Oakton – Wed, 8-noon
Old Town Alexandria Farmers Market • 301 King St., Alexandria – Sat, 5:30-11 a.m.
Old Town Manassas Farmers Market • 9201 Center St., Manassas – Thu, 7-1 p.m.; Sat, 7:30-2:30 p.m.
Nokesville Farmers Market • 13005 Fitzwater Drive, Nokesville – Sat, 8-noon
Purcellville Farmers Market• 751 E. Main St., Purcellville – Sat, 8-noon
Reston Farmers Market • 11400 Washington Plaza W., Reston – Sat, 8-noon
Smart Markets – Centreville • 5875 Trinity Parkway, Centreville – Fri, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Smart Markets – Fairfax Corner • Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax – Tue, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Smart Markets – Gainesville • 13297 Gateway Center Drive, Gainesville – Sun, 10:30-1:30 p.m.
Smart Markets – Herndon • 460 Elden St., Herndon – Thu, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Smart Markets – Oakton • 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton – Sat, 10-2 p.m.
Smart Markets – Reston • 11890 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston – Wed, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Upper King Street Farmers Market • 1806 King St., Alexandria – Wed, 3-7 p.m.
Vienna Farmers Market • 131 Church St. N.E., Vienna – Sat, 8-noon
Wakefield Farmers Market • 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale – Wed, 2-6 p.m.
Warrenton Farmers Market • Branch Drive and Warrenton Village Center (Wed), S. Fifth & Lee Streets (Sat) – Wed, 7-1 p.m.; Sat, 7-noon
West End Farmers Market • 4800 Brenman Park Drive, Alexandria – Sun, 9-1 p.m.

Or click here for our full list of local farmers markets

Tags: 2011 National Farmers Market Week, 2011 Virginia Farmers Market Week, August 7-13, Gov. Bob McDonnell, Johnisha M. Levi, Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia Magazine, NoVA, photo contest, Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, USDA, USDA National Farmers Market Directory, VDACS, Virginia Farmers Market Photo Contest, Virginia farmers markets