The Arlandrian: 4MRMarket Report: "A Fresh Start on 4/14" Edition

Conceptual view of rehab of the 4MRMarket Building

The Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market has a lot of exciting news for the upcoming 2013 season, set to begin on the second Sunday in April (April 14th)!!

This past January - for the second year in a row - the 4MRMarket team presented the City of Alexandria with a check for $1,000 to further the revitalization of Four Mile Run Park. In addition to making financial donations, the 4MRMarket team has provided site improvements through "sweat equity" and by soliciting donations, both big and small. Last year, an anonymous donation of $10,000 helped support a NEA grant to build a performance stage. Other private donations and grants are being sought to provide park furniture, a green roof, plant rain gardens and other park improvements. The efforts have received coverage on NPR.

The 4MRMarket team has also been leading and participating in Four Mile Run stream clean-ups over the off-season and - on Opening Day this year - we will be assisting Casey Trees and the Arlington Tree Stewards with a massive tree planting adjacent to the Four Mile Park Expansion where 4MRMarket is held.

The Four Mile Run Expansion Continues..

Founded to support the revitalization and expansion of Four Mile Run Park, 4MRMarket has worked with various community partners to create a venue that is inviting, clean and a resource for the diverse neighborhood of Arlandria.

As the first market in Northern Virginia to accept SNAP/EBT sales, market management has continued to secure double dollar incentives, in conjunction with INOVA Health Foundation and the Alexandria Health Department, to bring healthy food to people of all income levels.

Our third season was a year of additional progress for the market. The market grew more established and we added credit card sales.SNAP/EBT and credit card sales accounted for a total of over $5,500 in sales during the season. This year, we have assisted other markets in the area to launch their own SNAP/EBT programs, giving those in need of healthy food options more choices.

As a 100% neighborhood volunteer run market, we are proud that the market serves as an incubator for small start-up businesses, a space for non-profits to promote their causes, and a community gathering place for live music, fellowship, and quality food and craft options.

Credit Cards @4MRMarket

As a convenient bonus, 4MRMarket now processes Credit Card payments for all vendors, as well.

Market Meeting & Site Prep

Stay tuned for upcoming dates for a 4MRMarket meeitng. We will also be spending some time at the site doing some prep work and volunteers are welcome to meet us then too.

The Work Continues...and it's Working.

We've been hard at work at 4MRMarket, but not as hard as a group of award-winning, volunteer architects called Architects Anonymous that has helped the community to form and embrace these changes. Their vision along with a lot of hard work from a whole lot of people is becoming a reality and the impact on the park has be phenomenal.

Please read this article in The Arlandrian to find out more about these changes to the market space and Four Mile Run Park.

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How to help and participate at 4MRMarket

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. You can pre-pay via Pay-Pal (4MRM@arlandria.org).

DONATE. Help 4MRMarket help 4MRPark. Tax-deductible donations can be made to support us in our efforts to revitalize Four Mile Run Park. Donate to the Alexandria's Living Landscape Fund to fund trees, benches and other amenities at 4MRExpand.

HELP. If you'd like to volunteer with the 4MRMarket, go to: volunteer.4MRMarket.org. We need help processing SNAP/EBT sales, keeping our books, and with set-up on market days.
Email us at 4MRMarket@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.

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. And now SFMNP vouchers!

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Buy Fresh Buy Local 4MRMarket products.

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.