Farmers markets open in May
The Annandale Farmers Market opens for the season on May 1.
In addition to a variety of fresh produce and prepared foods, there’s something new at the Annandale Market – a lead-testing program hosted by the Fairfax County Health Department.
Lead is toxic, especially for young children. Lead poisoning can cause developmental delays, learning disabilities, reduced hearing, loss of appetite, behavioral issues, headaches, and brain and kidney damage.
Residents can bring these items for lead testing: imported herbs, spices, seasonings, and candy; traditional cosmetics; incense; religious powders; and ayurvedic and holistic medications.
Annandale Farmers Market vendors
The Annandale Farmers Market, at Mason District Park on Columbia Pike, is open Thursdays, 8 a.m.-noon, starting next week.
Vendors include:
- 78 Acres – Vegetables, fruit, honey, flowers, and plants.
- Boso Foods – Nuts, salads, and soups.
- F.J. Medina & Son Farm – Seasonal fruit and vegetables, such as strawberries, asparagus, artichokes, eggplants, melons, peas, Asian vegetables, peppers, and herbs.
- Great Harvest Bread Co. – Specialty breads, biscotti, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and granola.
- Hawksbill Mountain Mushrooms (new this year) – Lion’s mane, oyster, and other mushrooms, as well as products like candy and spice mixes made from mushrooms.
- Hog Haven Farm – Beef, pork, sandwiches, lemonade.
- J & W Valley View Farm – Seasonal vegetables and fruit, such as arugula, beets, bok choy, corn, greens, tomatoes, and melons.
- Kaze Grain House (new this year) – Organic wheat, rye, and spelt.
- Layla’s Lebanese Restaurant – Baba ghanouj, hummus, grape leaves, moussaka, and other prepared items.
- Panorama Baking Loic Feillet – French artisanal bread and pastries.
- Pho From Home – Prepared Vietnamese specialties, such as pho, caramelized beef, and braised pork with lemongrass.
- Sharkawi Farm – Potted plants, dried herbs, flowers.
- Sweet Twist of Ecuador – Cassava bread, empanadas, soups, sorbet.
- The Traveling Shepherd Coffee Co. – Roasted coffee and coffee drinks.
- Twin Springs Fruit Farm – Seasonal fruit and vegetables, including apples, apricots, berries, cherries, carrots, raspberries, and potatoes.
Musician Eric Auld will perform instrumental accordion music at the Annandale market on May 1.
Both the Annandale and Wakefield markets accept SNAP benefits. Customers who use SNAP get up to $40 worth of additional fruits and vegetables free every time they visit.
Wakefield Market vendors
The Wakefield Farmers Market, next to the Audrey Moore Rec Center in Wakefield Park, is open every Wednesday, 2-6 p.m., starting May 7.
Vendors include:
- Bad Ass Pickles – Flavored pickles.
- Baguette Republic – Specialty baked goods, such as croissants, breads, and brownies.
- Colonial Kettle Corn – Various popcorn varieties, almond crunch.
- F.J. Medina & Son Farm – Seasonal fruit and vegetables.
- Frothy Mug (new this year) – Food truck with ice cream floats, sundaes, and beverages.
- Good Day Crepe (new this year) – Sweet and savory crepes.
- Grammy J’s Baking – Cookies, puppy treats.
- Kuhn Orchards – Apples, tomatoes, onions, squash, flowers, peaches, blueberries, and other seasonal items, along with apple butter and cider.
- Linda Vista Farm – Fruits and vegetables, such as brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, figs, herbs, watermelons, and more.
- Luke & Son for Global Food – Prepared foods, including chicken wraps, Egyptian flatbread, coconut cake, hummus, and salads.
- My Alfajor – Several kinds of empanadas, butter chicken.
- Stallard Road Farm & Botanicals – Chestnuts, herbs, herbal teas, jams, honey.
- Sue’s Pies and More – Pies, cookies, and other baked goods.
- Wine’ing Butcher (new this year) – Prepared meals, sausages, marinated chicken, and other meats.
MSRP (Music with Sarah, Rich, and Pete) will entertain Wakefield market customers on May 14 with acoustic rock, folk, and pop music.
The Vienna-Falls Chorus will perform on May 21, and Henry K. Noble, a one-man band, will appear on May 28.
