Labor Day Weekend at the Vienna Farmers Market

Labor Day means the fall season for farmers markets with wonderful concord grapes, Asian pears, pluots (plums and apricots), and the arrival of beautiful gourds and squashes. It’s a great time to snack on fresh fruit at the market along with a piece of fresh sheep’s cheese or grab a fresh fruit juice and chat with a friend or neighbor. We are all getting ready for the kids to go back to school and return to our lives after a busy summer. Yet in the back of our minds there is also a nagging worry …

Over the summer, there have been reports of food scares and you might wonder how they affect your purchases at the farmers market? You can rest easy knowing that the outbreaks occurred from large industry farms during the packing process. The food that is brought to the Vienna Farmers Market does not need to be packaged or processed in the same way since the food is making a very short trip from the farm to the market and the food was harvested hours or days before.

The Vienna Farmers Market farmers take special care getting their food from the field to the market and that is a special advantage in buying from farmers markets and knowing the person(s) you are buying from. Consumers are encouraged to become educated about the harvesting and packaging issues as well. We also recognize that consumers still want to be educated and they need resources to help keep their market purchases fresh even after they purchase it and leave the market.

Is this an issue that is of concern to you? Let us know. We will be glad to provide more information about all the precautions and certifications and inspections that are helping to keep the food fresh for you.

In the meantime join us this weekend as the League of Women Voters joins us as our guest nonprofit and TJ Michael, “the Balloon Artist,” is our guest at the market. See you soon.

Farmer SJ