The Arlandrian: 4MRMarket Report: 2012 Grand Opening Edition!

Come see the revitalization take shape.
Help with the trees!

Sunday May 6th is the grand opening of the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market, 2012 Edition!

This year, 4MRMarket will have a full slate of vendors and a new market environment. After all the hard work and volunteer effort, the Four Mile Run Park plaza area is nearly complete. Come see first hand 4MRMarket in its revitalized home and be amazed at the transformation of the gateway to the Alexandria's biggest park.

4MRMarket will be from 8am to 1pm again this season. The weather looks like it will be a sunny, perfect spring day in the mid 70s. What better way to spend a Sunday morning. Come enjoy fresh produce, coffee & tea, baked goods, and great artisan crafts.

Just like last season, you can enjoy a tasty pastry and coffee in the 4MRMarket Lounge.

See the "DONATE" note, below. 4MR Expand Phase 1 is just about complete, but the as yet unfunded Phase 2 includes trees, rain gardens, additional landscaping, banners, painting the plaza, etc. Help move renovations even further along! Your donation can help further the 4MR Park plans! (For more information about 4MR Expand, see here and here).

The supercool 4MRMarket t-shirt

BUY. Proceeds of our 4MRMarket T-shirts go to support the expansion and revitalization of 4MR Park. They cost $12 and come in 4 colors. See us model a few at the market. You can pre-pay online via Pay-Pal (send money to 4MRM@arlandria.org).

DONATE. Help 4MRMarket help 4MR Park. Tax-deductible donations can be made to support us in our efforts to revitalize Four Mile Run Park. Donate to the City's Living Landscape Fund. More information here.

HELP. If you'd like to volunteer with the 4MRMarket, go to: volunteer.4MRMarket.org to sign up or look for the "volunteer" tab on the 4MRMarket website. You'll be able to volunteer to help process SNAP/EBT sales, help us keep our books, help set up or tear down for the market, or help us find musicians to play the market. You can also find a Market Manager to ask to help, or email us at 4mrm@arlandria.org for more info.

READ. Keep up to date on all the goings on by following 4MRMarket on Facebook or Twitter or via our website and blog.

SPREAD THE WORD. Please tell folks about us. And tell folks about some of the great things we're doing. For instance, all SNAP/EBT participants can take advantage of the Inova-sponsored "Double Dollar" program again this year that doubles the first $10 SNAP participants spend at the market. 4MRMarket is the first farmers’ market in Northern Virginia (and still the only) to accept SNAP.

Here is who you'll find at 4MRMarket this week:

Pleitez Produce (Northern Neck) - A full range of locally grown produce, herbs, and more.
Bread and Chocolate (Arlandria) - A range of baked goods.
C and T Produce (White Oak, VA) - A huge selection of locally grown produce.
The Stifler Farm aka "What's For Dinner Now" (Shenandoah) - Natural, locally farm-raised black Angus beef, and now fresh, farm raised Pork, including bacon and andouille, chorizo, and breakfast sausage! (all flash frozen for convenience)
St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and a few extra goodies.
Baguette Republic (Sterling, VA) - A traditional artisan bakery producing a large variety of artisan breads, pastries and cookies using the best European techniques and tradition.
Uncommon Knits (WV) - Handwoven linens made with 100% cotton and hand-stitched hems for your kitchen, dining room and bath.
Benevolent Eaters Guild (Alexandria, VA) - Traditional fermented vegetables and soy products.
Indigo's Friends - Come see Imani Russel's upcycled line of clothing and jewelry. Reduce, Reuse, and Upcycle, indeed!

Crafts available on a rotating basis.

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The Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market (Alexandria, Virginia 22305) brings fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels, provide an opportunity for local artisans and producers of goods to bring their wares to market, strive to reflect the diversity of the community, and improve the quality of life for Arlandria residents and visitors. It is part of an overall vision to expand and improve Four Mile Run park and the surrounding neighborhood.

4MRMarket is open every Sunday from 8am until 1pm from May through October in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria.