Friday 3–7 p.m.
One Part Center Court
(City Hall Parking Lot)
Manassas Park, VA 20111
This week, we are happy to introduce you to your new market manager, Miriam Gribble. Recently retired from many years with both the Fairfax and Arlington County schools, she was looking for something to do, and we found it for her. We think she is going to be a fantastic manager for your market. Miriam speaks fluent Spanish, and if you need help or have questions in Spanish, she will be there to guide you through the market in two languages.
Miriam and our wonderful volunteer Carol Buckingham are committed to working hard to help grow this market. If you live in a community that would like to supply information about the market to its residents, or if your school or neighborhood is planning a fall festival, Smart Markets would be happy to supply material or have a presence at an event to get the word out. Just let Miriam or Carol know what you need from us. We can also supply brochures to any business or community group that would like to have them on display for customers, clients, or members.
Find out what's happening in Manassas Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Max Tyson of Tyson Farms has let us know that he will have Gala apples this week, just in time for back-to-school. They are the perfect size for the lunchbox. And if we are really lucky, he will also have the first Honey Crisp apples of the season, at the same time that he is bringing those large and luscious Bounty peaches.
In addition to all of those gorgeous apples and peppers, Crazy Farm now has winter squash and okra under their tent at the same time that they are bringing sweet and juicy melons. What a long and prolific growing season we enjoy nestled here between the Deep South and the Mid-Atlantic farming areas! The weather pattern and some good farming methods will enable our farmers to keep you supplied with fresh produce through Thanksgiving.
Find out what's happening in Manassas Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
See you at the market!
From the Market Master
I decided when I looked at my growing pile of newspaper articles that the time has come for one of my periodic updates on topics I have addressed in the past. Reading through my stash, I was reminded that more than any other, there is one change I would like to see that I think would have far-reaching consequences.
I would like to see an educational curriculum that started early and extended through high school that teaches children how their diet is connected to their health. Then all those other things we would like to see change would start happening, sooner rather than later because that newfound knowledge would be brought home and parents would be educated, too. I have said many times along with notable others that, given the knowledge, children would lead us to the truth and to actions and decisions based on the truth rather than what the food industry tells us.
Along those lines, did you know that the lycopene in tomatoes has multiple anticancer and antioxidant effects on human prostate cells? The journal Cancer Prevention Research reported that a study in Chicago demonstrated that lycopene actually improved the ability of benign cells to suppress tumor growth and reduce inflammation and cancer-cell proliferation. The researchers are not sure how this happens, but they know that it does. They also concluded that the lycopene in processed tomatoes was more effective than that in fresh tomatoes.
Earlier this year, there was a story in Runner’s World that detailed the superfood attributes of the lowly onion and its other family members. Members of the allium family have been shown to “protect the brain, keep the heart healthy, strengthen bones, reduce cancer risk and aid digestion.” That’s a major contribution to our health for an item that is noted mostly for the cause of bad breath. And it turns out you can alleviate that problem just by buying sweeter varieties and grilling, sautéing, or roasting them to bring out their natural sweetness.
A Wall Street Journal article and encouraged us to stretch our tongues to try new flavors, including more bitter ones. Bitter foods such as broccoli, kale, and cranberries are chock full of some of the most beneficial compounds. Barb Stuckey provided hints about how to try more things we may not like at first and how to get our children to do the same.
In recent weeks we have also had a few tastes of good news:
Walter Robb, co-CEO of Whole Foods, announced that the grocery chain will begin labeling GMO foods so that his customers can make informed decisions.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the addition of low-calorie options to menus at casual dining and fast-food restaurants has fueled their growth in recent years. Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and conducted by the Hudson Institute, a study found that “restaurants that increased lower-calorie servings experienced an average 5.5% increase in same-store sales. That compared with a 5.5% decrease among chains selling fewer lower-calorie servings.”
And as if to validate our invitation to Olio2Go to attend our markets occasionally to introduce you to good olive oil, several recent studies have confirmed the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet and emphasized the importance of extra-virgin olive oil in the prevention of strokes. Other leading ingredients in this diet include tree nuts and peanuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, legumes and wine with meals. Sadly, we do not grow many tree nuts in this area, but we are working on bringing Chesapeake seafood to our markets next year. And we already have fruits, vegetables, legumes and wine. Maybe we should invite Olio2Go to come more often.
Photo by Sarah Sertic
