Lois's Produce: Fresh Fruit with a Side of Humor

Produce good enough to be sold at Whole Foods is drawing attention at the Wakefield Market.

Although Lois’s Produce is owned by Lois and Gary Allensworth, you will find Bob Barker (not to be confused with the former host of "The Price is Right") and Bill Grigsby at Wakefield Market.

According to Grigsby, the goal at Lois’s is not complex. “This is how Lois makes a living, and in order to make a decent living you have to have a decent product. So, our goal is to continue to have a decent product and let it speak for itself.”

The Wakefield Market is open 2 - 6 p.m. every Wednesday through Oct. 27 at Wakefield Park.

Humor on the Side

Make sure to bring your sense of humor if you stop by Lois's Produce. These men are not afraid to joke with customers, and their regulars know how to joke right back.

When asked how he got involved in the market, Bob Barker said, “Lois’s mother and my mother were both mothers.”

He then explained, “I live within 500 yards of Lois’s childhood home, and I have always been best friends with her brother. She married my second cousin, and one day when I had just retired, I saw them at lunch and they asked me if I would help with one market per week. I kind of fell into it, but now I’ve been helping them for four years.”

Grigsby had a similar experience getting involved with Lois’s Produce. “The owner and I are cousins. When I retired, she wanted to know if I could help out a couple of days a week. I just love doing this. First, I love interacting with good people. Second, I know I bring a product that is good, healthy, and handled properly,” he said.

When asked what makes their products special, Grigsby said, “Other than the fact that I’m selling it?”

He continued, “Well, the time and effort that goes into what we do and the pride that our products are all of the highest quality.”

Barker explained, “Our food is always fresh and almost always picked the day before. It’s never more than 24 hours off of the vine at the market. Nothing gets shipped or stored, and we have a good assortment of items.”

Regular customer Diane Henry loves the booth at Lois’s Produce. “They have a very appetizing display,” Henry said, “It’s very colorful, and it makes your mouth water. I love their okra and tomatoes.”

Jack Sprat, another regular, joked, “They’re a couple of pirates, ripping everybody off! But no, really, the produce here is great.”

Don’t let their joking fool you, these men really enjoy being a vendor at the market and want to give customers the best service possible. “We care about what we’re doing,” explained Barker, “If it’s not good, we won’t sell it.”

Lois’s sells wholesale to Whole Foods, Clyde’s Restaurant, and Keany Produce. They are also at Oak Marr market, Vienna market, Falls Church market, and at the Capitol Market in DC on Fridays. You can find more information on their website at www.loisproduce.com.