Reston Farmers Market Opens Saturday

What began 14 years ago as a modest farmers market seeking to bring new life towill open its 15th season this Saturday, May 5 when the cowbell rings at 8 a.m.sharp.

The is acclaimed as Northern Virginia’s No. 1 farmers market, and it is the centerpiece of a larger, very lively scene at Lake Anne.  The Lake Anne Crafts Market has grown up on the Plaza beside the Farmers Market.  Together, they give Lake Anne the air of a grand bazaar on Saturdays.

 The Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne was originally the idea of Debbie Shprentz, who organized a group calling themselves the friends of T.O.M.A.T.O. (The Organic Market At Tall Oaks) to lobby for the creation of a farmers market in Reston back in 1997. 

The Giant Food store at Tall Oaks nixed the idea of a market there, so Shprentz moved the concept to a willing Lake Anne.  She then approached the Reston Association Board of Directors for a Market Master and help with advertising the market.  She got both —including the board vice president, who would become the Market Master.

The Market began with just twelve farmer-vendors, six of whom are still in the Reston Farmers Market.  The 2012 season will open with 29 vendors, including the original six.  The first customer who can list the original six vendors correctly for the market masters this Saturday will be awarded their very own 2012 Reston Farmers Market T-shirt.

From day one, the Market has had a solid core of terrific produce farmers, selling an increasing variety of vegetables.  Today they offer a far greater variety of everything.  You can find 40 or more varieties of tomato — the fruit lurking among all the vegetables — now as opposed to the two or three you would have found 14 years ago. 

And, if you look closely, you’ll find that most vegetables now come in several varieties. There was likely only one of each back in 1998.

The Market had two fine orchards when it opened. Now it has two more, adding up to as wide an array of locally grown tree and ground fruits as found
anywhere.

In addition to fulfilling all your vegetable and fruit requirements, this year at the Reston Farmers Market you’ll have a fantastic selection of baked goods and meats.  The market has four top-notch bakers and five meat vendors offering just about all you can imagine in either category.

The top off-season recruit is Gunpowder Bison, a great, grass-fed ranch in Baltimore County.  Gunpowder will be joined by the returning Valentine Miller with both meats and bakery items and three other returning meat vendors.  You need go nowhere else to fill all your bakery and meat needs.

Another returning star is Robin Collins and her Virginia Vistas plant emporium offering a larger selection of beautiful plants than can be found in any
farmers market in the region. 

 And we’ve not even gotten to all our specialty all-stars: Sinplicity Ice Cream, Wisteria Gardens mini veggies and salsas, Blue Ridge Dairy, newcomer New Family Naturals (w/ kale chips would you believe?), Fresh Crunch picklers, Cherry Glen Goat Cheese, and Colonial Kettlekorn!

Did I mention the Split String Soup bluegrass band will be playing?

Join all your neighbors Saturday at the Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne, where it is happening on Saturday mornings.

For more information, go to www.restonfarmersmarket.com or call the Market Masters at 703-318-9628.