Area Farmers Markets Ready to Roll

Alexandria-area farmers markets are opening now just in time for lettuce, spinach, strawberry, rhubarb and asparagus season. It will be mid-July before local tomatoes and peaches show up, but tomato, pepper, eggplant and squash plants are for sale now. Annual flowers are appearing along with flower and herb bedding plants. Meats, dairy products and bakery items are sold year round.

It’s a great time to support local farmers, reduce the number of miles required to transport food and consume really fresh food.

Granddaddy market of all is the Old Town Farmers' Market at Market Square established in the 18th century. It’s open from 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays and serves as a social event for Alexandrians as well as a shopping experience. The Del Ray market, open from 8 a.m. to noon, serves a similar purpose for that community on Saturdays. 

Sunday mornings, shoppers can head for the Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market at Four Mile Run Park in Arlandria or to the West End Market at Brenman Park at Cameron Station. Then on Tuesdays there is the Crystal City maket from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesdays to the market across from the King Street Metro from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursdays to the 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. market at Gateway Park in Rosslyn.

Serious cooks go to the Dupont Circle market Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for some of the more esoteric ingredients. Eastern Market is a destination on the weekends for prepared food, meats, produce, flowers and crafts. One of the largest markets is at the Courthouse in Arlington Saturday mornings. There are more markets in Foggy Bottom, Penn Quarter, Adams Morgan and Georgetown in the District during the week. 

Check out markets in Ballston Thursdays, Clarendon Wednesdays and on Columbia Pike Sunday mornings in Arlington.