The Arlandrian: 4MRMarket Report: "Fall Is In The Air" Edition

Nothing beats a sweet roasted beet this time of year!

This is the time of year when root vegetables reign, when roasts rock, and when the sweetness of apples, beets, and pears pair themselves with pork in a way that never occurs to you until October. Fall is comfort food time, and you can bet that 4MRMarket has you covered when it comes to the comforts of this tasty season.

Check out C&T Produce this week and pick up a few rutabagas, parsnips, apples, turnips, and/or butternut squash. Then grab some tasty locally farmed pork from Stifler Farms and get your creative juices flowing. Or how about a pear and cheese tart with cheddar and honey from Tom's Amish Cheese? Not feeling quite so much like meat? How about a root vegetable puree or a creamy spiced pumpkin soup?

Since it's possible not everyone has seen our "virtual tour", we'll leave it in here for one more week so you can check out the market in full swing. (Click on this link if the video below doesn't load)

Watch this video and enjoy a virtual tour of 4MRMarket from last Sunday.

We have lots of artisan items and crafts for you to check out this weekend. It's worth dropping by 4MRMarket each week just to see what new items you'll find.

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On Stage!

4MRMarket favorite Frenchy LeBlanc this Sunday from 10am-noon!

Bop along with local crooner Frenchie LeBlanc on the 4MRMarket Stage! Frenchi's Swing’n Blues, Rockabilly, HonkyTonk, and Old School Rock n’ Roll mix of music for all ages has been a real hit in the past, and we recommend you check him out if you haven't already!

Remember, the concert is free, but Frenchie and all our performers welcome tips and friendly applause for sharing their craft with you on a lovely Sunday morning.

Please see the 4MRMarket Facebook event page for more information about the show!

4MRMarket Vendors this week:

C &T Produce (White Oak, VA) - A huge selection of locally grown produce from a locally, family-run farm in Stafford, Virginia.
What's For Dinner Now - aka The Stifler Farm. Farm-raised Black Angus beef, humanely raised on lush pasture fields of the Shenandoah Valley, naturally farmed pork...and now... Uncle Frank's Grilling Sauce!!
Tom's Amish Cheese Store (Lancaster, PA) - Artisan Cheese and yogurt, farm-fresh eggs, and Pennsylvania honey.
St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) - Brewed coffee, tea, and always a few extra goodies!
Whole Health (Alexandria) - Organic teas and body scrubs from one of the largest Message and Acupuncture Therapy businesses in Northern Virginia
Raining Cats & Dogs - Gourmet Organic and Gluten Free Pet Treats

The mobile boutique!

The Artisans

Perigee Tribal and Wildlife Art - (Virginia) Elena works with a number of coops in Africa and Peru and carries beaded dog collars from the Kenyan Collection, Tinga Tinga Paintings from Tanzania, Monkeybiz beaded animals from South Africa, and other items from artisans from Peru.
Ekaa, Hands That Create - (Columbia, Maryland) Hand-crafted Home and Fashion accessories.
Rustic Refineries (Alexandria) - This local due makes and sells refinished furniture, salvaged antiques and vintage items, plus jewelry made from old skeleton keys and wreaths and ornaments made from vintage music paper.
Colorful Life (McLean, VA) - Food trucks may not be permitted yet in Alexandria, but this roving truck selling contemporary Women's apparel will bring the goods to market! Like any boutique, the customer can walk aboard the truck stocked with trendy clothing and accessories and even try on the pieces in our dressing room.
Others pending!

See below all the ways to help and participate in the market!

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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 4MRPark. 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 to fund tree and other amenities at 4MRExpand More information here.

HELP. If you'd like to volunteer with the 4MRMarket, come talk to us any Sunday. You'll be able to volunteer to help process SNAP/EBT and Credit / Debit Card 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 4MRMarket@arlandria.org for more info.

READ. Keep up to date on all the goings on by following 4MRMarket on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ 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. And C&T Produce now accepts 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.

4MRMarket is open every Sunday from 8am until 1pm from April 14th until November in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria.

(click here for directions)