Harvest Festival This Sunday, Nov. 4th!

This Sunday, 4MRMarket will host their annual Harvest Festival.

There will be activities for the kids (Hansel and Gretel performance by Gale Nemec @ 10:30 AM, lots of sidewalk chalk, lots of open space for bike riding), music for parents and everyone else (Back Alley Blues Boys performance @ 11 AM), and of course, all the great produce, cheese, meats, pickled products, teas, etc. that you've come to expect from 4MRMarket.

In other news, they will extend one more week due to popular demand.  So Sunday, November 4th will be the 2nd to last market.  There will be one more market on November 11th, as well.  Please help support all the great vendors for the last 2 weeks of the market.

DiverseCity Alexandria Multicultural Fest Saturday 11am-5pm

SATURDAY, September 15: 

Join us for a celebration of diversity with your friends & family! 

► 11am - 5pm ► Four Mile Run Center (4109 Mt Vernon Avenue)► Live Music, Food Vendors & More!

Check out Facebook.com/DiverseCityAlexandria for complete information.

4MRMarket Report: "Free Concert Series Going Strong" Edition

Watch Ella Sophia on the 4MRMarket Stage
from 11am-noon this weekend.

The 4MR Stage will play host to a local singer/songwriter Ella Sophia this Sunday from 11am-Noon. This marks yet another week where you can catch a great free performances while picking up local produce, meat, breads, pastries, crafts, and more.

Here's a little more about the Alexandrian musician in her own words: "My music is mainly of the singer/songwriter genre...but it can get mixed up with pop and folk. I play guitar and piano, and I write my own songs."

4MRMarket as featured on NPR

In case you missed it last week, be sure to check out this story about area farmers markets and what they bring to their neighborhoods. The story aired on NPR's "All Things Considered" Thursday night and featured 4MRMarket.

This week 4MRMarket will have all the fantastic local regulars, plus those delicious cupcakes from SweetCentral Babycakes and Dominion Green Power will set up a tent to talk about their Green Power initiatives. Those tasty pickles from No. 1 Sons will be back after a one week hiatus, as well.  So come, shop, listen, learn, and just enjoy a day out at your great Arlandria farmers market! 

---

Here is who you'll find at 4MRMarket this week:

• Bread & Chocolate (Arlandria) - A range of baked goods.
• 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!!
• St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and a few extra goodies.
• No. 1 Sons (Arlandria) -  Produces wild cultured foods by hand in Alexandria. This brother and sister team live in Arlandria and do not heat treat or use preservatives. They make pickles, sauerkraut, dilly beans, kim chi, beets, hot sauce and more that is "Proudly Cloudy".
• Tom's Amish Cheese Store (Lancaster, PA) - Artisan Cheese, yogurt and Pennsylvania honey.
• Baguette Republic (Sterling, VA) -  A traditional artisan bakery producing a large variety of artisan breads, pastries and cookies using the best European techniques and tradition.
• Sweetcentral Babycakes (Springfield, VA) - Artfully crafted cupcakes in babycake and teenycake sizes from Elda.

Crafts and Natural Health Supplies:

• Swee Lo (found at the No. 1 Son's Tent) - Sterling silver jewelry handcrafted by Balinese artisans designed by Swee Lo.
• Josi Essentials Organics (Centreville, VA) - A naturally effective, eco-friendly, line of handmade bath & body skin care goodies. Her products are made with bio-dynamic, natural botanical active ingredients.
• Kayvee International - Clothing, dresses and scarves from India

Crafts available on a rotating basis.

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, go to: volunteer.4MRMarket.org to sign up or look for the "volunteer" tab on our website. You'll be able to volunteer to help process SNAP/EBT 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 Facebook or Twitter 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. 

_______________

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 May through October in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. 

(click here for directions)

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

4MRMarket Report: "Folk Rock and Nice Folks" Edition

Roots-based musician Mike Elosh (monthly performer at
St. Elmo's) will be on the 4MR Stage Sunday from 11-noon.

We welcome roots and folk musician Mike Elosh this Sunday on the 4MR Stage from 11am to noon. The concert is free, though Mike will gladly welcome tips and friendly applause. Please come out and support this Dylan-like folk rock singer/songwriter. Mike uses guitar, piano and harmonica to accompany his roots-based music.

You may know Mike from his monthly performances at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub.  It should be a great show, and a nice way to enjoy a beautiful August morning in the mid-to-upper 70s.

We'll have our usual fresh haul of produce, meat, cheese, crafts, breakfast treats, and more. So grab some goodies, do your shopping, pull up a seat in the 4MRMarket Lounge, and listen to some great, local music.

This week we will once again have tasty cupcakes from SweetCentral Babycakes in addition to all our great regulars!

In the Community Tent this weekend, we have Gina Renee' Peregory raising funds for her participation in the Susan Komen 3-day 60 miler in October. You can help Gina's effort to support breast cancer research by donating at this website using Gina's participation number: 6507128. For donors, Gina is giving away custom printed T-shirts! So help breast cancer research, help Gina, and get a t-shirt to spread awareness.

---

Here is who you'll find at 4MRMarket this week:

• Bread & Chocolate (Arlandria) - A range of baked goods.
• 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.
• St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and a few extra goodies.
• No. 1 Sons (Arlandria) -  Produces wild cultured foods by hand in Alexandria. This brother and sister team live in Arlandria and do not heat treat or use preservatives. They make pickles, sauerkraut, dilly beans, kim chi, beets, hot sauce and more that is "Proudly Cloudy".
• Tom's Amish Cheese Store (Lancaster, PA) - Artisan Cheese, yogurt and Pennsylvania honey.
• Sweetcentral Babycakes (Springfield, VA) - Artfully crafted cupcakes in babycake and teenycake sizes from Elda. This is her first market, so please welcome her and give her delicious babycakes a try.

Crafts and Natural Health Supplies:

• Swee Lo (found at the No. 1 Son's Tent) - Sterling silver jewelry handcrafted by Balinese artisans designed by Swee Lo.
• Josi Essentials Organics (Centreville, VA) - A naturally effective, eco-friendly, line of handmade bath & body skin care goodies. Her products are made with bio-dynamic, natural botanical active ingredients.

Crafts available on a rotating basis.

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, go to: volunteer.4MRMarket.org to sign up or look for the "volunteer" tab on our website. You'll be able to volunteer to help process SNAP/EBT 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 Facebook or Twitter 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. 

_______________

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 May through October in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. 

(click here for directions)

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

4MRMarket Report: "Music for the Kids!" Edition

Marsha Goodman-Wood is family-friendly
and on the 4MRStage this Sunday!

There are two big pieces of news this week. For one, we have more kid-friendly live music lined up this Sunday on the 4MRStage! For the other, if you forget to stop at the ATM before the market, you can swipe your credit or debit card with us and we'll give you tokens in $5 increments to spend at 4MRMarket.  They're as good as cash, and vendors give you change from the tokens.

Here's more about our artist on the 4MRStage this week:
Local singer/songwriter and music teacher Marsha Goodman-Wood is known for getting kids singing and dancing at her shows, setting little toes to tapping with original melodies that mix generous doses of science and positive social messages into songs that are just plain fun.

Her quirky, smart compositions take on topics from astronomy (answering the age-old question "Why Can't You Dance on Jupiter?") to nonconformity ("Sheep Don't Wear Shoes") to biology ("The Penguin Song"). Her tunes and stories are sure to please children and grownups alike. Marsha takes inspiration for her lyrics straight from the creative kids she's raising and teaching. A mother of three, she brings to her performances a parent's eye for connecting with audiences, along with a music teacher's sensibility for what works to move kids of all ages.

Marsha has just launched her debut kindie (kids independent) CD, "Gravity Vacation" which is streaming free and available for download at http://bit.ly/z2sC7N. See her at 4MRMarket at 11am!

Head out this Sunday and enjoy the beautiful day (in the low 80s!) and take in a free music performance that is perfect for kids and adults alike.

This week we also welcome back Sweetcentral Babycakes, with her tasty and beautifully presented cupcakes. Be sure not to miss Elda's delicious creations this weekend!

---

Here is who you'll find at 4MRMarket this week to satisfy your summer cravings:

• Bread & Chocolate (Arlandria) - A range of baked goods.
• 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.
• St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and a few extra goodies.
• No. 1 Sons (Arlandria) -  Produces wild cultured foods by hand in Alexandria. This brother and sister team live in Arlandria and do not heat treat or use preservatives. They make pickles, sauerkraut, dilly beans, kim chi, beets, hot sauce and more that is "Proudly Cloudy".
• Tom's Amish Cheese Store (Lancaster, PA) - Artisan Cheese, yogurt and Pennsylvania honey.
• Sweetcentral Babycakes (Springfield, VA) - Artfully crafted cupcakes in babycake and teenycake sizes from Elda. This is her first market, so please welcome her and give her delicious babycakes a try.

Crafts and Natural Health Supplies:

• Ephesian Beauty (Manassas, VA) - Pure, natural homemade skin care and beauty supplies.
• Swee Lo (found at the No. 1 Son's Tent) - Sterling silver jewelry handcrafted by Balinese artisans designed by Swee Lo.

Crafts available on a rotating basis.

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, go to: volunteer.4MRMarket.org to sign up or look for the "volunteer" tab on our website. You'll be able to volunteer to help process SNAP/EBT 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 Facebook or Twitter 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. 

_______________

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 May through October in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. 

(click here for directions)

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

4MRMarket Report: "Trees, Glorious Trees!" Edition

City crews installed 20 trees in the 4MR Park Expansion

It's a little late to provide shade for the first massive heat-wave of 2012, but at long last, the 4 Mile Run Park expansion includes trees. The change is very noticeable, and makes the space much more pleasant. The City planted sizable trees so they will begin to provide a modicum of shade immediately. With the heat of the summer of 2012, every bit of shade is needed.

Of course, there's plenty of shade in the 4MRMarket lounge, where you can relax and enjoy breakfast from Bread and Chocolate and a tasty iced tea or coffee from St. Elmo's to start your day off.

Stay tuned for an opportunity for you (and hopefully your neighborhood Citizens Association) to donate trees, shrubs, and other landscaping to accelerate the renovation of the ever improving park expansion.

Stifler Farm is off this week for a family commitment, but they should be here for the rest of the season after that.

On a positive note, the fantastically talented Uncommon Knits are back with their extremely popular handwoven linens.  The quality is second to none, and we highly recommend you check them out as they are only periodic visitors to the market.

---

Here is who you'll find at 4MRMarket this week to satisfy your summer cravings:

• Bread & Chocolate (Arlandria) - A range of baked goods.
• C &T Produce (White Oak, VA) - A huge selection of locally grown produce from a locally, family-run farm in Stafford, Virginia.
• St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and a few extra goodies.
• No. 1 Sons (Arlandria) -  Produces wild cultured foods by hand in Alexandria. This brother and sister team live in Arlandria and do not heat treat or use preservatives. They make pickles, sauerkraut, dilly beans, kim chi, beets, hot sauce and more that is "Proudly Cloudy".
• Tom's Amish Cheese Store (Lancaster, PA) - Artisan Cheese, yogurt and Pennsylvania honey.

Crafts and Natural Health Supplies:

• Uncommon Knits (WV) - Handwoven linens made with 100% cotton and hand-stitched hems for your kitchen, dining room and bath.
• Ephesian Beauty (Manassas, VA) - Pure, natural homemade skin care and beauty supplies.
• Swee Lo (found at the No. 1 Son's Tent) - Sterling silver jewelry handcrafted by Balinese artisans designed by Swee Lo.

Crafts available on a rotating basis.

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, go to: volunteer.4MRMarket.org to sign up or look for the "volunteer" tab on our website. You'll be able to volunteer to help process SNAP/EBT 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 Facebook or Twitter 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. 

_______________

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 May through October in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. 

(click here for directions)

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

4MRMarket Report "End of Season Halloween Blowout" Edition

4MRMarket is closing for the season and we're having a party. 

Buy fresh produce, see a show, AND a great cooking demo by celebrity chef Will Artley!

This Sunday will be this year's last Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market of the season, but it will be a great one! Here's what'll be happening at 4MRMarket:

From 8-10, come stop by the market tent or lounge to hear about the special surprises that we have lined up for next season, capped off by an official announcement regarding the huge anonymous donation received last week.

At 10:30, come see a stunning performance by an acclaimed neighborhood actress. Award winning actress and Author of children’s educational picture books, Mizz Gale Nemec, presents a fantastic retelling of a classic Fairy Tale. Mizz Nemec brings all the characters to life in this engaging story by the Brothers Grimm. Mizz Nemec’s books make great gifts and will be available for purchase after the show. One show only!

At Noon, see a cooking demonstration by local celebrity chef, Will Artley. Chef Artley is one of the DC area's rising star chefs.

Will recently decided to part ways with Evening Star, but he's a huge supporter of the farmers market and the local food movement. Not to mention, he knows what to do with those great fresh ingredients once he gets his chef's knife on 'em!

Come learn a few tips and tricks, and maybe there will be some samples to pass around!

Here is the schedule for Sunday:

• 8:00am - Market Opens with produce, grass-fed beef, locally raised pork, coffee, baked goods, artisan-made products, and perhaps some surprises!
• 10:30am - A performance of Hansel and Gretel by Award Winning Actress Gale Nemec.  Bring the kids, grab a seat in our hay bale mini-amphitheater, and enjoy the lovely fall weather! Plus, Mizz Nemec’s books make great gifts and will be available for purchase after the show.
• 12:00pm - A cooking demo by local Chef Will Artley
• 1:00pm - Market closes, with plenty of time to head down to Del Ray to watch (or march in) the Halloween Parade.

So come out to Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market, 4109 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria VA, 22305 on its closing day of the season!

Remember, 4MRMarket is open April through October on Sundays from 8am-1pm. We've had a lot of fun this year and it's been more than a pleasure. With this last 4MRMarket report until next year, we've put together this collage we call, "A year at the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market" with all of our favorite 4MRMarket memories.

We hope to see you Sunday...and in 2012!

PS. Happy Halloween! Why not wear a costume to the market?

_______________

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 May through October in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. (click here for directions)

For more info see: http://www.4mrmarket.org/

On Facebook: facebook.com/4MRMarket

Contact us at: 4mrm@arlandria.org

Or call the 4MRMarket hotline: (804) 4mi-Run1