“Follow the sunflowers! That’s where we’ll be. Just look for the howitzer across the street that pointing right at us!,” says Juanita Tool, market manager of the Purcellville Community Market.
The howitzer from Purcell Gun Shop points right at the market!
This small market started in fall 2008 as a year round market and has quickly drawn visitors from miles away each week. There are between 16-20 vendors in the town hall parking lot on any given week through the winter months…and the fire pit serving as the market center. “Buy fresh, Buy Local “ is the phrase of the day.
Robs greens are worth the drive!
Each Saturday rain or shine vendors set up their tents anticipating the familiar patrons that come for the freshest local food around. I crave the taste of Lothar’s BLT hoagie hot off the grill. Lothar Erbe is a German immigrant from Frankfurt who is a master artisan butcher. Donning lederhosen and an unmistakable German dialect, Lothar pleases the market goers with an array of brats, sausages, bacon, and various cuts of pork. He and his wife June and their son sell sausages each week.
Lothar's Gourmet Sausages draw folks from miles around. It takes me back to those 80's layovers in Frankfurt..
1st Avenue Bakery's marketing focuses on their consistent blue ribbon awards for Virginia’s Finest peanut supreme pie, coconut crème, lemon chess and more. Liberty Hill Farm offers pastured chicken and meats as well as organic baked breads. Liz Handcrafted Soaps offer a huge variety of special soaps and seasonal offerings.
I drive at least half an hour to get my weekly bag of Rob’s organic salad greens and add a box of shitakes for a farmer’s market salad you can’t beat. From these to Chef Eloy’s Kicken Salsas, Hondo Coffee Roasters to the Cheese Grits Girls, this market has the people, loyal locals and product appeal that many winter markets do across the country. It is a growing trend that projects to continue.
According to the USDA year round farmers markets have increased by 17% since 2009. New York state is on the top of the list with 153 winter markets. There are nearly 900 winter farmers markets are operating weekly around the country during the winter months.
Mike Calley, a new vendor from Wagenburg Farms bundles firewood.
One of 898 winter markets around the country...
This small Northern Virginia market represents a growing trend around the country to connect with local farmers to buy direct via these informal markets.
Grab a few recycle bags and a bunch of cash and support local this week…there’s nothing like it!
Thanks Bonnie!!!! We love our customers too!
Posted by: Jtool4 | Monday, December 13, 2010 at 06:51 PM
Almost forgot to mention...this young market is in the top 20 farmers markets in the country and top 5 in Virginia according to American Farmland Trust.
http://www.americanfarmlandtrust.org
Saratoga Market in NY is also in the top 20 in the US...
Posted by: Bonnie | Monday, December 13, 2010 at 07:09 PM
Hey Bonnie--That looks like a great Farmer's Market! Our outdoor Farmer's Markets on the Cape are seasonal (at least the ones I am aware of) I wish ours were year around like yours!!
Posted by: Terri McCallister | Monday, December 13, 2010 at 09:59 PM
Thanks for your comments Terri! Check out a new winter farm market on cape cod:
http://www.farmfresh.org/food/farmersmarkets_details.php?market=397
It's in Marsten Mills on Cape Cod..
Let me know how it is...
Posted by: Bonnie | Monday, December 13, 2010 at 10:21 PM
Bonnie - a great post, again. Did I doubt it? Nope. Never.
Farmers markets are indeed about people and the community.
As far back as 1993 when I first came to the US and made my home in NYC, I remember the farmers market (Union Square) was a place where I felt so at-home.
More so than most places.
The farmers market at Union Square was very small and not as popular as it is today.
It has been amazing to see the market grow. The city change.
And most importantly see the effect that one market made on the lives of the people of this great city.
How wonderful to see farmers markets flourishing across the country and slowly but surely bringing us back to the neighborhood or regional market, and more importantly back into the kitchen and at the table.
Thanks for sharing your adventures and finds. Looking forward to reading more.
Posted by: Suvir Saran | Friday, December 17, 2010 at 08:17 AM
Bonnie--That Marstons Mill Farmers market starts in Feb. I'll check it out and let you know.
I'm still hoping for a CSA spot as well.
Posted by: Terri McCallister | Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 10:24 PM