At The Alexandria West End Farmers Market May 4, 2008
Sunday, the Alexandria West End Farmers Market opened for its second season. The market was started last year by market master, Julie Bryant. Bryant is the former owner of Cameron Perks. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Alexandria’s West End, Cameron Station is a large living community consisting of condos, townhomes and a few single homes. It is beautifully lined with trees and dotted with public sitting and gathering areas. Ben Brenman Park, in the back of the development, is home to the market on Saturday mornings, rain or shine, from 9-1, May-Oct.
I met Bryant at the market yesterday as she was checking in with the market vendors. She informed me that there are 26 vendors scheduled to be at the market this year, which is about a 30% increase over last year’s 15 vendors. She feels that the market has a nice variety of food and art, but would like to see more organic meats offered.
Fortunately, Sunday morning was glorious, if a bit windy. The market appeared to be about 75% full with vendors including juried artists, flowers, herbs, produce, eggs, pastries, cheese and canned goods. I saw several vendors from the Saturday markets in Alexandria City and Del Ray.
Tom the cheese guy was there. He is also at Del Ray. I picked up some Gorgonzola cheese to pair with some of the strawberries I purchased which came from Westmoreland County, VA.
J&W farm also had magnificent strawberries, along with fresh, vibrant greens. I picked up generous bundles of cilantro, parsely, bok choy, spinach, rainbow chard and spring onions. For under $12!
Tanya, of Tanya’s Soul Cakes had pretty pink-topped cupcakes for $1.75. Raspberry buttercream-topped vanilla and chocolate cupcakes were delicious.
Hilldale Farms had Fluvanna Farm Fresh brown eggs. I picked up a dozen pullet eggs, which are eggs from chickens just several months old. I was told that while they are on the small side, the yolk to whites ratio is better than in the larger eggs from older chickens. I’ll report back to you when I start to crack them.
Fluvanna Farm will also have organic chickens in about two weeks. I hope they are reasonably prices because I would love to try one.
Until the next At The Market, eat and buy local when you can.
This is one of the best markets around. If you like Tom’s cheese, try his yogurt, too. His plain yogurt is the best I’ve ever tried.
Hi Mizburd,
I had his gorgonzola last night in a spinach salad (J&W Farm), grilled chicken, grilled spring onion (J&W), pecans, Westmoreland county strawberries and a balsamic vinaigrette. Terrific!
I will be back!
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