What’s Fresh

The farm market isn’t like your typical grocery store, save yourself the trouble of making a list and have some fun with what is in season. Weather, insects, demands and an amazing array of other variables can make for challenging predictions as to what comes out of the fields and to the market. Think of the market as a way to expand your pallete and try some new or different fruits and veggies. If you don’t have any idea how to prepare the items as the farmers, they grow these things for a reason and have some very good insight (and recipes). Don’t always go for your everyday items, like the white sweet corn, instead, try one of the bi-color varieties. VDACS provides a very handy produce chart of the growing season for Virginia, remember that it may vary but it may spark something.

Have you made the $10 Farm Fresh pledge? Just Spend $10 a week on Virginia grown products and earn a chance to win a Virginia Grown/Virginia’s Finest gift basket. Pick up your Pledge Card at the manager’s table at the Exit 40 farmers market.

Know your Farmer, Know your Food

It is an exciting time for the Exit 40 Farmers Market, big move and expansion makes for a great time to revisit, or visit the market. Our new location at Novant UVA Hospital Center is going to allow us to grow and meet the needs of the growing Haymarket & Gainesville area. The new location is just off Exit 40 and 15, convenient to the many communities and neighborhoods. Take the time to get to know the farmers/vendors. Ask them about how the food is grown, what else they grow, what the next week’s harvest may bring, about what they are cooking for dinner. Stop by the manager’s table and pick up a “Get to know your farmer” game entry. It’s amazing what you can learn with just a few questions. You might even get to know each other’s name. Shopping at the Farmers Market is different from your big box store, there are a few things to keep in mind to have the best experience. When you first arrive at the market take your time and walk through the entire market. Take a good look at all the offerings, chat with the vendors, and ask a few questions before you buy. There can be many differences in varieties, prices, and taste. In order to make the transactions go quickly, always bring lots of small bills and change, the crisp $20’s straight out of the ATM are not always convenient for the vendors and they don’t always take credit cards. Sorry Fido, but the Exit 40 Farmers Market is a permitted Food Facility and no dogs (except service dogs) are allowed. Bring large, reusable shopping bags, they make shopping easier and protect your purchases.  Please try to remember to reuse the produce bags provided by the farmers, or the grocery store. You can always save them and bring them back to refill next time you come to market. This reuse will help with the farmer’s costs and is also beneficial to the environment. Please also think about the farmers/vendors, bargaining for small amounts is not well received, not even at the end of the market day. You can always ask about large amounts or seconds and that is usually acceptable, however not always doable. Remember that these are the growers of the produce. Do not insult them with unnecessary and small quantity bargaining. They worked very hard to grow and harvest the produce and now add sales to the long day. Look forward to seeing you at the Exit 40 Farmers Market!

New Home for the Market

On Thursday, August 11th the Exit 40 Farm Market will make the move to the campus of Novant Health UVA Haymarket Medical Center located at 15225 Heathcote Blvd, Haymarket, VA 20169. This will allow for expansion of the market, and easier access our friends and loyal customers. The market is now conveniently located just across the street from the Market Center Condominiums off of Heathcote Boulevard. The new market hours are going to be 4:00 – 8:00 so that more commuters and residents will be able to stop on their way home to pick up fresh produce.The Exit 40 Farmers Market will feature more than a dozen local vendors selling local produce, pastured meats and eggs, local honey, preserves, artisan foods, food trucks, and more. It will also host special events, such as live music and cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, recipe contests and more.Look for exciting events and watch the Exit 4o Farmers Market Grow. Stay on top of what is Fresh and in season on our FB page.

 

News You Can Use

Have you seen the latest issue of the Exit 40 Farmers Market newsletter? Our newsletter is the best way to get the latest fresh news from the market, there is so much going on right now with the move and the peak of the Farm Market Season. The new location and the new hours will kick off on August 11th! We are looking to plan our Trans’Plant celebration on September 1st, and launch our new Youth Market!

The Farmers Market is held on Thursdays at the NOVANT Health/UVA Haymarket Medical Center, 15225 Heathcote Blvd, Haymarket, VA 20169. Exit 40 Farmers Market Season is from the first Thursday in May through October.  Hours are 4:00-8:00 PM.

Applications for the Youth Market!

One of the biggest things about our expansion at our new location is the launch of our Youth Market! We feel that by opening the Youth Market we are creating stronger communities, raising more engaged citizens and building happier neighborhoods. The Youth Market encourages young residents to embrace their entrepreneurial spirit by focusing on the connection with food and agriculture, the most basic of all human needs. This program is also intended to encourage local leadership, partnership and development opportunities.

We are so excited to have a few select Farm Friends selling their goods and products. The Market will provide the space and the youth will provide the rest of the items. All the items must be grown, harvested, produced, made or assembled by the kids. If you would like an application to be considered for the youth market send an email to t.pilegaard2010@gmail.com.

Ideas for Youth Market Booth

• Fresh Fruits or Veggies you have grown
• Flowers or Plants you have grown
• Book Marks with pressed flowers
• Herbs
• Pet Rocks
• Recycling Project
• Seed Packets
• Handmade Soaps
• Earthworm Project