Vienna Farmers Market-8/24 Give Back Day!

This week we talk about the abundance of fresh produce available at one of our favorite produce vendors, Westmoreland Produce -- from our home state of Virginia. Also, you will receive great advice from Rosa (nickname Cella) at the market. In addition – we have a new vendor at the market starting this week.

Did you know that the market is at 301 Center Street South in Vienna VA and operates on Saturdays from 8 am to noon under the auspices of the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna?

Whenever I come to the market on a given Saturday, I am usually assured of one of two things: one that there will be a line at Westmoreland to buy produce or two that I’ll see Cella the owner of the produce stand fussing over her vegetables and fruits. She really cares about what she sells which this year includes the addition of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries—yum! I've learned to cook beets, eggplant, leeks, and assorted winter squash from Cella—she gives wonderful advice. Her wide selection of vegetables is lovingly picked from her two farms (in Hague and in Warsaw – in Virginia in case you are like my husband and asked if I was referring to Europe).  She has a large family and therefore uses no outside help to work the combined 80 acres of the farms. And the family is proud of their innovative use of greenhouses and hydroponics which allows them to bring vegetables and fruits to customers earlier in the season.

Cella will assist you if she has the time (as will any farmer at the market) in picking out the best melons and pumpkins—all you have to do is ask.  This year when the market was unsure of its space she was one of the first vendors to commit financially and she and her family offered great emotional support as well--and for this we are thankful. Westmoreland Produce started their business in 1989 and after a lot of hard work became successful. Please visit the farm website at http://www.westmorelandproduce.com/index.php/about-us to learn more about this wonderful farm and vendor and visit them on Saturday.

And join us this week in welcoming the American Legion Post #180 to the market as our guest nonprofit as well our brand new vendor, Gina’s Pacific Jam and Jellies. We’re very excited to welcome this vendor as we've needed a jam and jelly person. Be sure to stop by for lots of samples on Saturday! Other half Richard will be hand with traditional and new taste treats. Gina believes in letting the fruit speak for itself.  All of her jams, jellies and marmalades are prepared according to USDA and Virginia Department of Agriculture guidelines. So come by and have a taste and experience the bliss of Gina’s Pacific Jam and Jellies. 

And if that is not enough – we have more: On Saturday in front of the market—please bring the kids by for a special event sponsored by Faith Baptist Church that has been months in the planning. Kids will be invited to participate in decorating cards and other projects for the troops and wounded war veterans. Donations will be accepted for packages to be sent overseas to the troops and other donations will be accepted for wounded veterans here in the states and overseas.  If you are interested in the list of what the church is accepting, please contact shannon@believegrowchange.org. Thank you and see you either here next week or at the market on Saturday from 8 am to noon!