This Week at Smart Markets Manassas Park Farmers' Market

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I know I keep promising that we will have more farmers with fruits and veggies, and I do apologize for not coming through last week, but Crazy Farm had a truck breakdown last Friday on the way to market. They do expect to be with this week. Also this week, the market should begin to look a lot more like summer with peaches, berries, tomatoes, and maybe even the first corn of the season.

Please think about preordering for next week if you will be celebrating on into the weekend. H&V BBQ will be able to accept preorders, as will Cakes by Shelby and Three Peas in a Pod Cupcakery. Both of our lady bakers will also accept 4th of July orders for delivery or pick-up before the holiday.

Let the kids know that Hazel will be back with us this week to paint faces of all shapes and sizes with her lovely designs. And the Popcorn Guy is back from his vacation and will be with us through the season.

Also at the Smart Markets tent, look for the kickoff of the Yes You Can canning project, which will be going on all summer. If you did not receive a special email announcement about our free canning classes this summer, you may indicate your interest at the market by signing up to receive future emails about the scheduled classes. We have free literature detailing the joys of canning and free ingredient packets for those of you who want to practice on your own before the classes begin.

And don’t forget to pick up your punch card and have participating vendors or one of your managers on site punch it for every $10 you spend at the market. Drop your completed cards in the big jar on the Smart Markets table, and at the end of July we will draw one (or more) cards for the first giveaway of the promotion. You may continue to fill up cards through the entire market and may drop as many as you can into the jar to increase your chances.Ó

See you at the market!

From the Market Master

I love to share what I learn almost every day about any number of issues related to what the role of farmers’ markets in suburban society, and particularly information that informs and supportsour own mission at Smart Markets. We already have on our website a response to the question we often get about what “organic” means. But often someone else says it much better than I have, and I like to pass along the wisdom in its original form and context.

Check out this blog post about “organic” food in the marketplace — the grocery store as well as the farmers’ market. We will also link to this on our website to offer a little more background and underpinning to my own thoughts on the subject.

Keep up the good work in your own homes and neighborhoods, and we will keep passing along facts and ideas you need to keep and share your personal commitment.

Photo by Sarah Sertic