At The Upper King Street Farmer Market August 19, 2008
On Wednesday, I swung by the Upper King Street Fresh Farmers Market* for the first time. Situated across the street from the King Street Metro, in King Street Gardens Park ( that odd tangle of metal and ivy that was envisioned as a tri-corner hat), the market holds only 4 vendors thus far. What the market lack in numbers, it more than makes up for in produce, flowers, gourmet food products and canned goods. The market is a producers-only market.
Bigg Riggs in Loom, WV, is among the best vendors in the region. Tiffany, of The Garden Apartment, wrote a wonderful piece about the farm on her visit. From ramps in spring, to peaches and tomatoes in August, Bigg Riggs has a wonderful selection at good prices. They also carry a nice line of gourmet products, including a killer Bloody Mary mix, assorted jams and dips. You can also treat yourself to Bigg Riggs products at the Old Town Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. Say “hello” to Calvin while you’re there!
Greenstone Fields ,from Purceville, VA, had a picturesque stand filled with colorful flowers and produce, including tomatoes and (still!) raspberries. The tomato selection was seductive for a tomato lover like me. You may recall my waxing poetic about the deliciously fresh and oh-so-earthy-tomato taste of J&W Valley View Farm’s heirlooms which I bought at the West End Alexandria Farmers Market last week. Well, I found an heirloom tomato to fall in love with, and it was labeled as a yellow striped heirloom. Yellow-orange skin, punctuated by crismson red surrounds these ever-so-sweet and meaty tomatoes, some the size of softballs. They were a bit on the pricey side, with 2 tomatoes (almost 2 1/2 lbs.) coming to $8.25, but worth every penny. I will be returning for more, knowing that all too soon, these glorious field tomatoes will be gone. Be sure to treat yourself to one of Greenstone Fields many heirloom varieties. They are growing plants that very few vendors grow.
D&S Farm, from Charlotte Hall, MD has 109 acres that they have been farming since the 1990′s. Owners Dan and Sue Gragan grow berries, currants, peaches, plums, tomatoes, squash, peppers, onions, apples, and more. D&S also has a wide variety of homemade jams, syrups and vinegars, all made with products from their land. You can also buy these incredible products at the Del Ray Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, in season.
Shlagel Farms was a new vendor to me. Their stand was rife with vegetables and melons of many sizes. From large “yellow doll” watermelons to baseball size fruit that looked like mini-honeydew. Shlagel Farms is located in Waldorf, MD. Be sure to put them in your tickler file for next strawberry season–they have a “pick your own” strawberry field! The farm, owned and operated by Russ and Eileen Shlagel is open to the public during spring for strawberries, greenhouse flowers and plants, and in the fall for mums and seasonal vegetables.
Until the next At The Market, eat and buy local when you can.
*The Upper King Street Fresh Farm Market is located at 1806 King St., Alexandria, VA. The market is open each Wednesday from August 13th through October 29th, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m., rain or shine.
Really great write-up! I like how you laid out the pictures in this one.
I talked to Calvin (Bigg Riggs) Wednesday and he said he had met you- we must have just missed each other at the market!
Also, thanks for the tomato review; I’ll have to try that striped one that you mention.
Sometimes I really enjoy the smaller markets. I’m amazed at the variety you’ve got there! I used to walk right past this area (on my way to the Metro) when we lived in Alexandria about 15 years ago. I think this was an empty lot then.
I’m hosting a Farmer’s Market Report. Maybe you’d like to submit this post? Come on over and check it out: http://toeverymeal.blogspot.com/2008/08/farmers-market-report-august-23rd.html
Great photos! Enjoyed your piece. Like perhaps every other food site in the universe, we’re doing a piece on farmers markets in our next issue — should be live on Friday, Sept. 5.
Also wanted to thank you for spreading the word about the Food Bloggers Challenge! It should be a lot of fun.
Best of luck to you in the challenge, HG!
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