The Arlandrian: 4MRMarket Report: "Monster Mash!" Edition

Pureed root veg make for a Franken-mash
good enough to eat! (image: lesserevillife.com)

Happy Halloween everyone! Why not celebrate the root veggie heaven that is the harvest season and make a Franken-mash with dinner one night. Take parsnips, rutabaga, turnips, and celery root from C&T Produce, peel and dice them, then boil them until soft. Drain and then puree with a hand blender or food processor with butter, salt, a little nutmeg, and buttermilk or cream and you have a twist on traditional mash. It's not exactly monstrous, but does bring your dinner ALIVE! Serve with a pork or beef from Stifler Farms and some braised kale or mustard greens and you have a fantastic fall feast!

Do you have your pumpkins all carved and ready to go? No? Fear not! We have you covered on that front as well. Pick up a pumpkin and carve your own ghoulish gourd in time for Thursday's trick or treaters!
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On Stage!

St. Elmo's regulars, The Scrub Pines will be onstage from 10-noon

The Scrub Pines will make their second appearance on the 4MRMarket Stage this Sunday from 10am-noon! (Note: weather permitting)

The Scrub Pines will share a collection of acoustic ballads and instrumentals, gathered from deep in the woods, along the river and up in the hills. Their Americana/Roots/Acoustic style pairs perfectly with your local neighborhood farmers market! Check out their ReverbNation page and their MySpace page for more info about the band.

Remember, the concert is free, but Andrea and Nelson welcome tips and friendly applause for sharing their craft with you on this brisk but lovely Sunday morning. Bundle up and enjoy the fall weather with the help of this great duo!

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 (Alexandria) - Gourmet Organic and Gluten Free Pet Treats

The Artisans

Ekaa, Hands That Create (Columbia, Maryland) - Hand-crafted Home and Fashion accessories.
Scented (Potomac, MD) - Scented is a line of handmade, luxurious bath and body products including Body Polish, Kiss My Lips lip balm, Body Creme, Body Lotion, Moisturizing Bath Salts and Baby Lotions.
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.
Whitney's World, Kenya Microcrafts - Fair trade handmade baskets and jewelry from Kenya.
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)