This Week at the Smart Markets Lorton Farmers' Market

This Week at the Smart Markets Lorton Farmers' Market
Thursday 3:30–7 p.m.
Workhouse Arts Center
9601 Ox Rd.
Lorton, VA 22079
Map

On the Way In and Out

Chester Hess is bringing new apple varieties each week -- check out his sample table for a taste of each. It is amazing to recognize each variety’s distinct flavor; it helps you understand which apples work for which recipes and also why I recommend a blend of apples for applesauce.

If you haven’t tried the Trickling Springs dairy products at our Amish “country store,” you should treat yourself to the 2% milk that is as rich-tasting as grocery store whole milk, the thick and creamy yogurt, or the ice cream that is as good as ice cream gets. If you want to know why these dairy products are richer and more flavorful and healthier for you than most grocery-store milk, pick up one of the Trickling Springs flyers.

Steven of Trickling Springs also wanted me to remind you that the Amish ladies who do the baking are sending pizza rounds that can be topped with numerous market ingredients for a healthy afterschool snack or a quick dinner. Take the time now to make up some fresh tomato sauce, freeze it in one-cup batches and thaw out for your own pizzas-on-the-run.

Kylie Carey, our new young entrepreneur and cake-pop vendor, wants me to let you know that she will have gluten-free pops this week and will be happy to take special orders for parties and other events.

And don’t forget the country eggs with yolks that are yellow as they should be from chickens that have been humanely raised and fed no hormones, antibiotics or arsenic. We have certified organic eggs at the “country store” and all-natural eggs at Wicked Oak Farm.

From the Market Master

Dear Shopper,

I was at several of our markets last week and had some time to look around and watch our shoppers react to the market -- the food, the vendors, the atmosphere, and the special activities we hosted at each of them. I realized that if you have never been to a farmers' market or do not come every week to see what's new, you are missing out on an opportunity to benefit from the experience.

The Food

If you want to commit to buying local, our markets offer almost everything you need to cook for your family all week long. If you are just there for produce, BBQ, Trickling Springs Dairy, or low-fat, high-taste Piedmontese beef, spend a little more time and money, and you will come away knowing that someone you have met and talked to about their products will benefit from that sale.

The buck really does stop at a market; it doesn’t fly across the country or out of the country via a middleman. You hand it to the person who grew, raised, or made with their own hands the food you take home. You haven’t just connected to the source of your food -- the farm, dairy, or home kitchen -- you have connected to the people who work to produce it.

You can sample food all through the market, even more so during the winter months. You will discover that all those apples and tomato varieties actually have distinguishable flavors, and all of them are good!

The Education

In addition to learning firsthand how good local food can taste, you can also learn what to cook with it and how, as well as why it is so much better for you than food grown far away on huge corporate farms or created in corporate kitchens where in some cases no hand ever touches the product.

We have chef Annie Sidley, who comes to our markets to teach you at no cost how to cook with market ingredients. We have Patty Repko, a certified health coach who will teach you what to eat to stay healthy throughout your life and will answer questions about creating a healthy pantry. You will learn how to stock your kitchen with the ingredients that make up healthy meals and snacks that even the kids can learn to make on their own.

We also bring in guests such as Luanne O’Loughlin, owner of Olio2Go, who samples and sells Italian olive oils and other ingredients that you will need for that healthy pantry. None of this costs you anything but your time. Where else can you get so much, and get to sample as you learn, for nothing but your time?

I will share some additional thoughts in next week’s newsletter. See you at the market!