At The Alexandria City And Dupont Markets-April 5 & 6
What a mix of weather we had this weekend! It was supposed to rain all weekend, but Saturday turned out to be a rather nice day with a mix of sun and clouds. I decided to pack up my husband, mom (who is visiting from Philadelphia) and dog, Tucker in the car, and head into Old Town Alexandria to visit the market.
My mom is beginning to understand my obsession passion for farmers markets. She visited the Dupont farmers market with me during her last visit and seemed amazed at the array of produce etc. and the vibrancy that not even rain can dampen. The free samples helped too, in full disclosure.
Alexandria City’s farmers markets was bustling with patrons, vendors and tourists on Saturday. If you have a sweet tooth, you should come to this market. Breads, pastries, and pies are the strong suit here, with at least a half a dozen vendors selling them. Maribeth’s Bakery sells breads, biscuits, fruit loaves, muffins and more underneath a pair of technicolor umbrellas-you can’t miss them. Standouts include moist carrot cake which emits an enticing aroma of clove. White raisin and cinnamon monkey bread and is wonderful with butter, although the amount of raisins could be pumped up. My favorite are the ham and cheese biscuits, as I have a savory tooth more than a sweet tooth.
Herbed tomato and onion foccacia looked too good to pass up a Gracie’s Pastries. Seasoned with garlic and basil, the foccacia was fresh, fragrant and just a bit yeasty. Gracie’s is situated at the bottom of the steps on the N. Fairfax St. side of the market, and has a large selection of breads, including an apple bread (which I sampled) made with molasses which gives it a rich brown color. Sample alert-Gracie’s is quite generous!
You can also visit Gracie’s Bakery at the Del Ray Farmers Market once they reopen sometime in May.
Flower vendors are also plentiful at the Alexandria market. Roses, tulips and flower baskets were happily swept up by market goers. As I wheeled my mom past a selection of rose bouquets, she admired an orange-red rose variety. Several steps later, a young man from the flower stand offered her one, and with a knowing smile, bid her a good day.
A kind act so small, yet so profound. A good day, indeed.
While snapping away using my fabulous (really, it’s the only word that describes it) new Canon 40D, I was approached by Ray, who oversees the market. At first I thought I would be told not to take photos or face a nasty note in my FBI file, or the like. I was all ready to defend myself with my rights to take photos in public places, blah, blah, blah. There was no need. He asked if I was with a publication and while yes, I am writing for Alexandrianews.org and have covered the market, I was just taking photos for my blog this week. Ray seemed interested in my observations of the market and I expressed to him that the market needs more seasonal produce vendors. Currently, there are produce vendors who are by and large, not farmers who harvest their products from the soil and bring them to market. Tomatoes, corn, and bell peppers are at the market, yet not in season. For a serious farmers market fan, this does not bode well and challenges the veracity of the market’s statement that local products are sold. A larger carbon footprint, and older product which has lost flavor and nutrients, is not what should be selling at a farmers market. That’s what Safeway is for. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
On the bright side, Ray agreed and is trying to get more dirt-under-the-fingernails-farmers at the market. In addition, he spoke about trying to get Buster’s Seafood at the market. He said he has a space for them and wanted me to pass that along to them at the Dupont Market, where they are on Sundays.
Finally, I implored Ray to talk to The Powers That Be (in the Alexandria government) to get a website for the market. I think they could significantly increase their business if they would reach out with a website, photos, recipies, market news and newsletters. Alexandrians and the surrounding areas are plugged in to technology and would sign up if they had the opportunity.
Sunday brought the elusive rain that we had been anticipating, so before I set out, I donned my trench coat and hat. I looked like I was attending a Jack Abramoff party at the Spy Museum instead of the Dupont farmers market, whose food and flowers made the raindrops seem incidental.
Truthfully, there is nothing exciting to report on the produce front; rainbow chard, tubers, squash, herbs, yada yada. However, a new vendor, Clear Spring Creamery, is at the market selling fresh milk and chocolate milk.
Farmer News:
On April 6, we’ll welcome a new farmer to our Dupont market. Clare and Mark Seibert of Clear Springs Creamery will bring their fresh MILK to market. This Maryland farm has 35 Jersey cows happily munching on pasture. The farm is Grade A certified for milk production and is in the process of transitioning to organic milk certification by 2009. In addition to fresh milk, they will bring a farmstead made camebert cheese, yougurt and eggs from free-range hens. One more reason to love our Dupont market.
I was a bit hesitant to spend $5.50 for a half a gallon, but I’m assured that fresh milk with minimal processing is worth it-particulary for making cheese (yes, I am embarking on a cheesemaking quest-I’ll keep y’all in the loop). Next Sunday I will take the plunge and use Clear Spring’s milk for a batch of mozzarella. Wish me luck!
It is with great anticipation that I await ramps and asparagus. It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter, as The Beatles said, which is probably why a container of lamb and white bean soup from Virginia Lamb looked so good. And, my mom loves lamb so this surley would be a nice treat for her. I usually don’t buy “finished” products from the market; I prefer to get the ingredients and make soups, stews, pastas and tarts myself. However, I am very happy that I made the exeption for this soup. It is homey and rustic, with ground lamb, white beans, carrots and a savory broth. At $7, it was a treat I would highly recommend and will buy again-if only to figure out how to make it at home!
Another great buy was a sampler pack of Keswick Creamery’s fetas. Three individually wrapped pieces of Mediterranean, Italian, and Basil and Tomato feta was $5. I used some of it to make a Feta and Tomato tart (I will post that in the near future). As many of you know, I’m a big fan of Keswick’s products and another sampler alert would be for their stall. They are beyond generous!
Until the next At The Market, eat and buy local when you can.
Any insight into when Asparagus will be showing up at the area markets? I’m trying Really Hard to resist the Mexican imports in the grocery stores, but I had hoped they would be out by now. Oh and we picked up some soft shelled crabs from the seafood stand that had been frozen since last season, and, well, you could tell. A little beyond “soft” and into “crunchy.” But they claim that that season starts in about three weeks. Waiting for May…
I’m waiting too! Asparagus should be within the month now. I say go ahead and buy your asparagus! I could not go without asparagus year round, and I usually pick up a bunch when I’m at Costco.
I live in town, I can walk to the Dupont market, but it never occurs to me to go because I work three blocks from there, and on a Sunday I want to head AWAY from the office. So thank you for the photos and the updates — they’re great motivation. I won’t let another market-less weekend go by
I had always heard that the Old Town market was not producer-only, and therefore less “real” farmers and more re-sellers. I haven’t been lately though so I’ve enjoyed reading your accounts of some of the new vendors, and am glad to hear they intend to improve on that.
Also, I believe the Del Ray market re-opened this past weekend, though I was out of town. I know Tom the Cheese Guy plans to be there this coming weekend.
The Alexandria market has some great meat vendors and other specialty foods, but the produce needs work!
I believe the Del Ray market opens on April 12-I’ll be there snapping away!
I, too, was excited to see the milk stand– I miss Adam and Trickling Springs so much! The milk was fabulous and affordable way back when. I bought chocolate milk this week to support the idea of milk at the market, but was upset by the price… especially given that I can get the milk *delivered* by South Mountain creamery and the price- including delivery fee- is less, plus you can get other fresh stuff with it for the same fee. Meh!
I hear you about the prices, Tanya. I feel for them trying to make it at the market, but their prices should perhaps be more competative in order to develp a loyal following.
I hear wonderful things about South Mountain Creamery and am doing a story on it. Could you email me at houndstoothgourmet@gmail.com to tell me about your experience with them?
Thanks!
Ramona