Saturday, August 31, 2013

4MRMarket Report: "Fruit of our Labor Day!" Edition

Grill up something great from
What's For Dinner Now this Labor Day!
An age old tradition on Labor Day is to hang out outdoors and fire up the grill: any manner of meat, veggies, corn, and whatever else floats your boat. But the key is making the most of the last days of summer.

Well, get your outdoor time started Sunday morning at 4MRMarket and get all your goodies for your Monday BBQ!

Enjoy a performance on the 4MRMarket Stage from 10am to Noon with a coffee or tea from St. Elmo's.

When the caffeine kicks in, shop around a bit: What's For Dinner Now can provide the pasture raised beef and naturally farmed pork products. Tom's Amish Cheese Store can top your tasty burgers with deliciously crafted cheese. And C&T Produce can provide all the corn, zucchini, squash, and any other veggies for the grill!  Use some Whole Health tea to brew up some refreshing and healthy iced tea and you'll be all set to enjoy Labor Day!

Click for larger image
Also check out the lovely fashions that Ritu has on offer from Ekaa, Hands That Create, one of our periodic vendors that keep the market a little bit different each week! Steffanie will be one hand with her home-made soap from Old Town Suds (fresh from her DIY Del Ray write-up). MemoryCard Photography will bring Emily's landscapes, flowers, and water scenes. Raining Cats & Dogs will have their natural pet treats. And the mobile boutique of Colorful Life will allow customers to walk aboard the truck stocked with trendy clothing and accessories and even try on the pieces in our their dressing room.


_____________________

On Stage!

Jong Lee, this Sunday!

4MRMarket veteran Jong Lee this Sunday from 10am-noon!

Jong runs Jive Sound, a bass guitar shop on the Avenue in Arlandria, and his performances earlier this year were so much fun!

Remember, the concert is free, but Jong and all our performers welcome tips and friendly applause for sharing their craft with you on a lovely Sunday morning.

Please see the 4MRMarket FaceBook event page for more information about the show!


_____________________

Don't forget the Free Swag!
  • We still have a bunch of INOVA sponsored Buy Fresh, Buy Local bags left over from National Farmers Market Week just a couple weeks ago!  Come by the market and pick yours up this weekend!
  • Pledge to celebrate at 4MRMarket this summer and the folks at American Farmland Trust will send you a free "No Farms No Food" bumper sticker. Your pledge will help show prospective vendors that there's community support. (Donations to support AFT are optional.)
  • The Buy Fresh, Buy Local and Win campaign continues this weekend at 4MRMarket!  
Bring your “Farm. Fresh. Pledge.” punch card if you already have one. If you didn't get started yet, just ask for one at 4MRMarket and earn one punch for each $10 you spend on Virginia Grown products.Collect all 14 punches for a chance to win a Virginia Grown® / Virginia’s Finest® gift basket valued at $250. 4MRMarket will also award prizes to monthly drawings from all punch cards received. (See the official rules for more details).
You can fill up your bags with a great selection of produce, meat, cheese, teas, health and beauty products, and more.
_____________________

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.
  • The Stifler Farm aka "What's For Dinner Now" - Farm-raised Black Angus beef, humanely raised on lush pasture fields of the Shenandoah Valley, naturally farmed pork...and now... Uncle Frank's Grilling Sauce!!
  • Tom's Amish Cheese Store (Lancaster, PA) - Artisan Cheese and yogurt, farm-fresh eggs, and Pennsylvania honey.
  • St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and always a few extra goodies!
  • Old Town Suds - (Alexandria) This maker of eco-friendly soaps, cleaning supplies, bath bombs, and more! Old Town Suds started because Steffanie was allergic to most commercial soaps on the market; then she became really sick and wondered if her health was being made worse by everyday chemicals. Their decadent soaps & nose-pleasing cleaning products are tough on dirt but easy on humans, pets, and the Earth. Look for Port City Beer soap & Legend (Richmond, VA) Beer soap plus the Cup of Joe soap that looks like a latte!
  • MemoryCard Photography - New to the Alexandria area, Emily previously showed her work in and around the Williamsburg area, but just recently began selling her photos in the Alexandria area. She currently has inventory up at Killer E.S.P. on King Street in Old Town Alexandria. She specializes in nature photography such as landscapes, flowers, and water scenes. Feel free to check out her Etsy page
  • See the
     mobile boutique!
  • 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.
  • Ekaa, Hands That Create, (Columbia, Maryland) Hand-crafted Home and Fashion accessories.
  • Raining Cats & Dogs - Gourmet Organic and Gluten Free Pet Treats
  • Colorful Life (McLean, VA) - Food trucks may not be permitted yet in Alexandria, but this roving truck selling contemporary Women's apparel will bring the goods to market! Like any boutique, the customer can walk aboard the truck stocked with trendy clothing and accessories and even try on the pieces in our dressing room.
  • Others pending!


See below all the ways to help and participate in the market!

_____________________

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!
__________________________________


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 8am until 1pm from April 14th 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

Saturday, August 24, 2013

4MRMarket Report: "Return of the Used Books" Edition

Find a new end-of-summer read at the
Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Book Sale Part 2!
Just like the Jedi, the used books that escaped last weekend spent some time in hiding before their eventual re-emergence this Sunday!

With poor weather last Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Book Sale Part 2 this Sunday in the 4MR Community Building and find that good beach read at 4MRMarket! 

Sunday and just so so many books, there are still tons of good options! Come on out to the

All proceeds benefit the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria!!

Drop by from 8am to 1pm do a some shopping, enjoy a coffee or tea, and enjoy a free concert on the 4MRMarket Stage between 11 and Noon.

_____________________

Truck On...


Food trucks may not (yet) be permitted in Alexandria, but Colorful Life, a roving truck selling contemporary Women's apparel, will bring the goods to market! Like any boutique, the customer can walk aboard the truck stocked with trendy clothing and accessories and even try on the pieces in our dressing room. Get on board this Sunday!




_____________________

Jong Lee, this Sunday!
On Stage!

We welcome back 4MRMarket Veteran Jong Lee this Sunday from 10am-noon! See the 4MRMarket event page on facebook here. Jong runs Jive Sound, a bass guitar shop on the Avenue in Arlandria, and his performances earlier this year were so much fun!

Remember, the concert is free, but Jong and all our performers welcome tips and friendly applause for sharing their craft with you on a lovely Sunday morning.
_____________________

Don't forget the Free Swag!
  • We still have a bunch of INOVA sponsored Buy Fresh, Buy Local bags left over from National Farmers Market Week just a couple weeks ago!  Come by the market and pick yours up this weekend!
  • Pledge to celebrate at 4MRMarket this summer and the folks at American Farmland Trust will send you a free "No Farms No Food" bumper sticker. Your pledge will help show prospective vendors that there's community support. (Donations to support AFT are optional.)
  • The Buy Fresh, Buy Local and Win campaign continues this weekend at 4MRMarket!  
Bring your “Farm. Fresh. Pledge.” punch card if you already have one. If you didn't get started yet, just ask for one at 4MRMarket and earn one punch for each $10 you spend on Virginia Grown products.Collect all 14 punches for a chance to win a Virginia Grown® / Virginia’s Finest® gift basket valued at $250. 4MRMarket will also award prizes to monthly drawings from all punch cards received. (See the official rules for more details).
You can fill up your bags with a great selection of produce, meat, cheese, teas, health and beauty products, and more.
_____________________

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.
  • The Stifler Farm aka "What's For Dinner Now" - Farm-raised Black Angus beef, humanely raised on lush pasture fields of the Shenandoah Valley, naturally farmed pork...and now... Uncle Frank's Grilling Sauce!!
  • Tom's Amish Cheese Store (Lancaster, PA) - Artisan Cheese and yogurt, farm-fresh eggs, and Pennsylvania honey.
  • St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and always a few extra goodies!
  • Old Town Suds - (Alexandria) This maker of eco-friendly soaps, cleaning supplies, bath bombs, and more! Old Town Suds started because Steffanie was allergic to most commercial soaps on the market; then she became really sick and wondered if her health was being made worse by everyday chemicals. Their decadent soaps & nose-pleasing cleaning products are tough on dirt but easy on humans, pets, and the Earth. Look for Port City Beer soap & Legend (Richmond, VA) Beer soap plus the Cup of Joe soap that looks like a latte!
  • 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.
  • Raining Cats & Dogs - Gourmet Organic and Gluten Free Pet Treats
  • Love Lucy Candles (Alexandria) - Founded on the idea that candles should not only smell good, they should be able to compliment any space with lovely fragrance.  They hand-make quality, eco-friendly soy candles that captivate the senses.
  • Colorful Life (McLean, VA) - Food trucks may not be permitted yet in Alexandria, but this roving truck selling contemporary Women's apparel will bring the goods to market! Like any boutique, the customer can walk aboard the truck stocked with trendy clothing and accessories and even try on the pieces in our dressing room.
  • Others pending!

See below all the ways to help and participate in the market!

_____________________

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!
__________________________________


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 8am until 1pm from April 14th 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

Friday, August 16, 2013

4MRMarket Report: "Scholarship Sunday!" Edition

Find a new end-of-summer read at the
Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Book Sale
Looking for a good book? We've got plenty. We asked Alexandria for book donations and the response came in droves!! 4MRMarket plays host to the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Book Sale this Sunday in the 4MR Community Building. You'll find that good read you've been seeking just in time for the beach this Sunday August 18th at 4MRMarket!

All proceeds benefit the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria!

Be sure to bring plenty of reusable bags.  Between gently used books for your bookshelf and tasty treats for your fridge and pantry, you'll need lots of carrying capacity this weekend! We still have a bunch of sturdy reusable bags from INOVA's Buy Fresh, Buy Local campaign, so just ask at the 4MRMarket Tent and get a free bag to help you take home your haul.

Drop by from 8am to 1pm do a some shopping, enjoy a coffee or tea, and enjoy a free concert on the 4MRMarket Stage between 11 and noon.
_____________________

On Stage!

Janna Audey performs Sunday
from 11am to noon
On Sunday from 11am-noon, the 4MRMarket Stage will host a new talent in Janna Audey (see Janna's facebook page here)! Janna is a singer and songwriter from a musical family with over 2,000 live shows under her belt.  We're very lucky to have her play for our cozy market this Sunday!

Janna performs a mix of her own material and adaptations of songs by her favorite artists and songwriters. You'll see Janna this Sunday by her lonesome for an intimate, storytelling show and you'll understand what the Janna-buzz is all about. Many of her shows are either as a duo alongside husband and electric guitarist, Rob Santos or with a band performing high energy rock (including Santos on guitar, bassist, Howard Haughery, and Terry Burcham on drums). Be sure to check out her facebook page for more about upcoming shows.  For Janna, it's about the music, providing a sense of community, connection, feeling, laughter, positive energy, and FUN.

Read more about Janna and learn more about this weekend's show on the 4MRMarket event page!

Remember, the concert is free, but Janna and all our performers welcome tips and friendly applause for sharing their craft with you on a lovely Sunday morning.
_____________________

Don't forget the Free Swag!
  • We still have a bunch of INOVA sponsored Buy Fresh, Buy Local bags left over from National Farmers Market Week just a couple weeks ago!  Come by the market and pick yours up this weekend!
  • Pledge to celebrate at 4MRMarket this summer and the folks at American Farmland Trust will send you a free "No Farms No Food" bumper sticker. Your pledge will help show prospective vendors that there's community support. (Donations to support AFT are optional.)
  • The Buy Fresh, Buy Local and Win campaign continues this weekend at 4MRMarket!  
Bring your “Farm. Fresh. Pledge.” punch card if you already have one. If you didn't get started yet, just ask for one at 4MRMarket and earn one punch for each $10 you spend on Virginia Grown products.Collect all 14 punches for a chance to win a Virginia Grown® / Virginia’s Finest® gift basket valued at $250. 4MRMarket will also award prizes to monthly drawings from all punch cards received. (See the official rules for more details).
You can fill up your bags with a great selection of produce, meat, cheese, teas, health and beauty products, and more.
_____________________

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.
  • The Stifler Farm aka "What's For Dinner Now" - Farm-raised Black Angus beef, humanely raised on lush pasture fields of the Shenandoah Valley, naturally farmed pork...and now... 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 (approved by the Alexandria Health Department).
  • St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and always a few extra goodies!
  • Old Town Suds - (Alexandria) This maker of eco-friendly soaps, cleaning supplies, bath bombs, and more! Old Town Suds started because Steffanie was allergic to most commercial soaps on the market; then she became really sick and wondered if her health was being made worse by everyday chemicals. Their decadent soaps & nose-pleasing cleaning products are tough on dirt but easy on humans, pets, and the Earth. Look for Port City Beer soap & Legend (Richmond, VA) Beer soap plus the Cup of Joe soap that looks like a latte!
  • 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.
  • Raining Cats & Dogs - Gourmet Organic and Gluten Free Pet Treats
  • Love Lucy Candles (Alexandria) - Founded on the idea that candles should not only smell good, they should be able to compliment any space with lovely fragrance.  They hand-make quality, eco-friendly soy candles that captivate the senses.
  • Ekaa, Hands That Create, (Columbia, Maryland) Hand-crafted Home and Fashion accessories.
  • Others pending!



See below all the ways to help and participate in the market!

_____________________

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!
__________________________________


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 8am until 1pm from April 14th 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

Friday, August 09, 2013

4MRMarket Report: "Mini-staycation" Edition

Enjoy a free show and some great weather at 4MRMarket!
August is the time of year in the Washington area when most people try to get in a nice family vacation before the start of the school year, or just try and get away from the oppressive heat of DC if just for a few days in the mountains or on their favorite seashore.

But we have good news for you!  Sunday mornings have been mild, breezy, and beautiful at 4MRMarket!

Drop by from 8am to 1pm do a little shopping, enjoy a coffee or tea, and enjoy a free concert on the 4MRMarket Stage between 10 & 12.

The forecast says it should be in the high 70s to low 80s, sunny, and beautiful!  Life is full of little moments like this where you can get away without getting away, so why not take advantage with a 4MRMarket staycation this Sunday!
_____________________

On Stage!

On Sunday from 10am-noon, the 4MRMarket Stage will play host to Matt Tarka, another market veteran!
Matt Tarka will be on-stage from 10am-noon

Matt Tarka is a singer/songwriter whose introspective lyrics and sharp rhythms are designed for your back porch or a ride into town. Tarka’s songs can jolt you like a conversation with an old friend, picking up right where you left off on the trail. He has been compared to rockers turned folk artists including Kevin Seconds, Vic Ruggiero, Jesse Malin, TV Smith and Gene Clark.

He can be found performing his brand of folk rock at such venues as Axum Lounge (DC), The Velvet Lounge (DC), The Ottobar (Baltimore), MilkBoy Coffee/The Fire/Dawson Street Pub (Philadelphia), among many others.

Tarka recorded his debut EP in July 2011 titled Motorcycle Breakfast, produced by Dave Mallen. This collection of songs delivers a poignant message in a somewhat playful and endearing way. DC Rock Live’s David Hintz writes: “The best of his style are the vocal lines he writes that are simple enough on the face of things, but have a few hooky moments that bring his songs to life.”

Tarka takes the stage from 10am-noon (See our Facebook event page).

Remember, the concert is free, but Matt and all our performers welcome tips and friendly applause for sharing their craft with you on a lovely Sunday morning.
_____________________

Free Swag!
  • Last week was the start of National Farmers Market Week!  It's just now wrapping up, but there are still a lot of INOVA sponsored Buy Fresh, Buy Local bags to be had for free!  Come by the market and pick yours up this weekend!
  • Pledge to celebrate at 4MRMarket this summer and the folks at American Farmland Trust will send you a free "No Farms No Food" bumper sticker. Your pledge will help show prospective vendors that there's community support. (Donations to support AFT are optional.)
  • The Buy Fresh, Buy Local and Win campaign continues this weekend at 4MRMarket!  
Bring your “Farm. Fresh. Pledge.” punch card if you already have one. If you didn't get started yet, just ask for one at 4MRMarket and earn one punch for each $10 you spend on Virginia Grown products.Collect all 14 punches for a chance to win a Virginia Grown® / Virginia’s Finest® gift basket valued at $250. 4MRMarket will also award prizes to monthly drawings from all punch cards received. (See the official rules for more details).
You can fill up your bags with a great selection of produce, meat, cheese, teas, health and beauty products, and more.
_____________________

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.
  • The Stifler Farm aka "What's For Dinner Now" - Farm-raised Black Angus beef, humanely raised on lush pasture fields of the Shenandoah Valley, naturally farmed pork...and now... 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 (approved by the Alexandria Health Department).
  • St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and always a few extra goodies!
  • Old Town Suds - (Alexandria) This maker of eco-friendly soaps, cleaning supplies, bath bombs, and more! Old Town Suds started because Steffanie was allergic to most commercial soaps on the market; then she became really sick and wondered if her health was being made worse by everyday chemicals. Their decadent soaps & nose-pleasing cleaning products are tough on dirt but easy on humans, pets, and the Earth. Look for Port City Beer soap & Legend (Richmond, VA) Beer soap plus the Cup of Joe soap that looks like a latte!
  • 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.
  • Raining Cats & Dogs - Gourmet Organic and Gluten Free Pet Treats
  • MemoryCard Photography - New to the Alexandria area, Emily previously showed her work in and around the Williamsburg area, but just recently began selling her photos in the Alexandria area. She currently has inventory up at Killer E.S.P. on King Street in Old Town Alexandria. She specializes in nature photography such as landscapes, flowers, and water scenes. Feel free to check out her Etsy page
  • Ekaa, Hands That Create, (Columbia, Maryland) Hand-crafted Home and Fashion accessories.
  • Furloughed Feds Fine Frippery- Home baked goodies (cupcakes, brownies, coffee cakes, caramel candies) and breakfast treats (muffins, biscotti, granola), served (for a reasonable price) to the public, in lieu of serving the public. "Let Them Eat Cake...and other Goodies!!"
  • Others pending!



See below all the ways to help and participate in the market!

_____________________

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!
__________________________________


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 8am until 1pm from April 14th 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

Saturday, August 03, 2013

4MRMarket Report: "That IS my bag, baby!" Edition

Grab a free reusable bag and usefull wellness
guide this Sunday from INOVA!
It's the start of National Farmers Market Week and who does't like free stuff to celebrate?!

Come by the market this Sunday where INOVA will be giving away free market bags (while supplies last), Buy Fresh Buy Local guides and other information related to healthy eating and living.

Now that you'll have a free bag, you might as well fill it up with market goodies! As per usual, we'll have produce, pasture raised beef, artisan cheese, and much more on hand to fill up that empty-bag-shaped space in your shiny new reusable! Reserve some space in there for scarves, flower hair clips, and jewelry from So Elanor4MRMarket's newest vendor!

Pledge to celebrate at 4MRMarkets this summer and the folks at American Farmland Trust will send you a free "No Farms No Food" bumper sticker. Your pledge will help show prospective vendors that there's community support. (Donations to support AFT are optional.)

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The 4MRMarket Stage will play host to Emily Henry for the second time this season!
Emily Henry will play the
4MRMarket Stage from 10am to noon

Emily takes the stage from 10am-noon! If you missed her first 4MRMarket performance, Emily Henry is a local singer/songwriter with a lovely voice and lots of original music. Click here for a sample of Emily Henry's soulful voice and acoustic guitar skills, and come out this weekend to hear the real deal in person! See our Facebook event page for details about this and future happenings.

Remember, the concert is free, but Emily and all our performers welcome tips and friendly applause for sharing their craft with you on a lovely Sunday morning.

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Don't forget that the Buy Fresh, Buy Local and Win campaign continues this weekend at 4MRMarket!

The June winners!
Bring your “Farm. Fresh. Pledge.” punch card if you already have one. If you didn't get started yet, just ask for one at 4MRMarket and earn one punch for each $10 you spend on Virginia Grown products.

Collect all 14 punches for a chance to win a Virginia Grown® / Virginia’s Finest® gift basket valued at $250. (See the official rules for more details). 4MRMarket will also award prizes to monthly drawings from all punch cards received.

You can fill up your bags with a great selection of produce, meat, cheese, teas, health and beauty products, and more.

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Here is what's at 4MRMarket this week.  Plus, there may be one or two more new items in store beyond even these!
  • C &T Produce (White Oak, VA) - A huge selection of locally grown produce from a locally, family-run farm in Stafford, Virginia.
  • The Stifler Farm aka "What's For Dinner Now" - Farm-raised Black Angus beef, humanely raised on lush pasture fields of the Shenandoah Valley, naturally farmed pork...and now... 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) -  Whole Health is on vacation this weekend, but they'll be back in a couple weeks!
  • St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and always a few extra goodies!
  • Old Town Suds - (Alexandria) This maker of eco-friendly soaps, cleaning supplies, bath bombs, and more! Old Town Suds started because Steffanie was allergic to most commercial soaps on the market; then she became really sick and wondered if her health was being made worse by everyday chemicals. Their decadent soaps & nose-pleasing cleaning products are tough on dirt but easy on humans, pets, and the Earth. Look for Port City Beer soap & Legend (Richmond, VA) Beer soap plus the Cup of Joe soap that looks like a latte!
  • 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.
  • Raining Cats & Dogs - Gourmet Organic and Gluten Free Pet Treats
  • So Elanor - Local artisan made floral hair clips, jewelry, and scarves.
  • MemoryCard Photography - New to the Alexandria area, Emily previously showed her work in and around the Williamsburg area, but just recently began selling her photos in the Alexandria area. She currently has inventory up at Killer E.S.P. on King Street in Old Town Alexandria. She specializes in nature photography such as landscapes, flowers, and water scenes. Feel free to check out her Etsy page
  • Ekaa, Hands That Create, (Columbia, Maryland) Hand-crafted Home and Fashion accessories.
  • Others pending!
New vendor Ritu with her company
"Ekaa, Hands That Create"


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 8am until 1pm from April 14th 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