Crop Rapport- West End Farmers Market

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, November 10th, 2011

This past Sunday dawned bright and sunny as I made my way into the West End farmers market in Alexandria.

Warm sunshine, a crisp breeze- seriously this day could not be any better. And what better way to spend it than walking the “streets” of your local market?

What I like most about the West End market is that it’s not just a one trick pony; local craftsmen, jewelry makers and medicinal herb stands cozy up to fresh local produce. It’s sort of a crafts fair-meets-market situation. And that makes it all the more interesting.

So yes, the weather was gorgeous but that doesn’t mean I don’t need my coffee fix. Luckily there was Guata Java, a small organic coffee stand with the option to have it “regular” for $2 or with condensed milk for $3. I tried it with the condensed milk- sort of Vietnamese style and I was glad I did.

No trip to the West End market is complete without fresh squeezed orange juice from Fresh Joseph’s. “Fresh” Joseph Clemente also sells homemade mozzarella, scones, and macaroons but the juice is the real winner here. Squeezed right before your eyes from a pile of bright, dewy oranges, this is the perfect way to start the day… after your coffee, of course.

Fresh Joseph’s has been a staple at the farmers market for close to 30 years. A family business since 1984, he has been serving up homemade goodies from his professional kitchen with a smile ever since.

If you’re feeling really gutsy, try their flavored homemade hummus! Now if there’s two things I love, it’s hummus and curry- and Fresh Joseph’s put the two together. Not for the faint of heart, this hummus really sizzles as a snack on crackers, pita or vegetable sticks. But I warn you- you must like curry in order to like this product! The prominent curry flavor is warm with spices with a light underlying heat on the back of the tongue. Delicious!

Now, if Alexandria is anything, it has to be one of the most dog-friendly cities in Northern Virginia. The market was teeming with all different breeds happily trailing after their owners. And if you happened to bring your furry friend with you to the market, as I did, you might want to take a little extra time and visit the huge dog park located directly across the street, next to the library. It’s relatively clean with lots of grassy room to run and filled with friendly dogs and dog owners alike.

The West End Market has something for everyone: organic, fair-trade coffee; The Dressed Up Nut selling spiced and candied nuts; glass artists, jewelry makers and oil painters; the organic meat man with bacon and sausages; the couple featuring homemade soaps and oils; fresh cut flowers and, of course, delicious, seasonal produce.

The market closes for the season on November 20th so take advantage of it while you can!

The West End Farmers Market - 4800 Brenman Park Drive, Alexandria
Open Sundays from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. through November 20.

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Northern Virginia Farmer’s Market 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.

– Jennie Whistler

Tags: Alexandria, dog friendly, dog park, fall, farmers markets in Northern Virginia, farmers' market, food, fresh, fresh joseph, Gut Check, Jennie, local market, Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia Magazine, NoVA, nova mag, oj, produce, West End