The Arlandrian: 4MRMarket Report 'Hanging in There' Edition

There are five markets left this year, and 4MRMarket really needs your help to keep it viable throughout the fall. The back-to-school season is a very hectic time of year in any ordinary year, but hurriquakes make it even more so. Don't forget about your neighborhood, volunteer-run market.

Between bad weather and holidays, perhaps many summer market-goers just got out of the habit. We've noticed a drop-off since summer, but the vendors are still there every Sunday, and they need you to make it worth their while. So if you enjoy having another great farmers market option in Alexandria, and specifically one in your backyard, please come out to shop on Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The volunteers will be there no matter what, but the farmers and artisans can only come out if it they can meet the bottom line.

We're still gathering names for the chance to win one of four $5 gift tokens as our way to reward customer loyalty. Come to the 4MRMarket tent for a complimentary BuyFresh BuyLocal market bag. Bring it back to 4MRMarket and show it to a market manager in September and you will be entered in the drawing. 

Here are other ways to help keep this community enterprise alive:

BUY. Proceeds of our 4MRMarket T-shirts go to support the expansion and revitalization of 4MR Park. They cost $12 and come in four colors. See us model a few at next week's market or pre-pay online via Pay-Pal (send money to 4MRM@arlandria.org). 

DONATE. Help 4MRMarket help 4MR Park. Tax-deductible donations can be made to support us in our efforts to revitalize Four Mile Run Park. Donate to the City's Living Landscape Fund. More information here.

ANSWER. Do you like to bike to 4MRMarket? If so, please fill out this survey from the League of American Bicyclists to help get 4MRMarket certified as an official Bike Friendly Business.

HELP. If you'd like to volunteer with the 4MRMarket, go to: volunteer.4MRMarket.org to sign up or look for the "volunteer" tab on our website. You'll be able to volunteer to help process SNAP/EBT sales, help us keep our books, help set up or tear down for the market, or help us find musicians to play the market. You can also find a Market Manager to ask to help, or email us at 4mrm@arlandria.org for more info.

READ. Keep up to date on all the goings on by following 4MRMarket on Facebook or Twitter or via our website  and blog.

SPREAD THE WORD.  Please tell folks about us. And tell folks about some of the great things we're doing. For instance, all SNAP/EBT participants can take advantage of the Inova-sponsored "Double Dollar" program that doubles the first $10 SNAP participants spend at the market. 4MRMarket is the first farmers market in Northern Virginia (and still the only) to accept SNAP. 

Here is who you'll find at 4MRMarket this week:

• The Stifler Farm aka "What's For Dinner Now" (Shenandoah) — Natural, locally farm-raised black angus beef, and now fresh, farm-raised pork, including bacon and andouille, chorizo and breakfast sausage (all flash frozen for convenience). 
• Pleitez Produce (Northern Neck) — A full range of locally grown produce, herbs and more. 
• Bread and Chocolate (Arlandria) — A range of baked goods.
• C and T Produce (White Oak) — A huge selection of locally grown produce. 
• St. Elmo's Coffee Pub (Del Ray) — Brewed coffee, tea and a few extra goodies. 
• Simply Healthy Water (Vienna) — Try Dennis and Eileen's homeostatic filtered water and see if it's something you want to be able to enjoy every day.

Plan ahead and contact any of these great folks online if you'd like to shop virtually during the week.

VeloCity bike co-op will be on-site doing teaching bike maintenance and repair. And our 4MRMarket Tent will certainly be the host to some great community group.

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The Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market (Alexandria, Virginia 22305) brings fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels, provide an opportunity for local artisans and producers of goods to bring their wares to market, strive to reflect the diversity of the community, and improve the quality of life for Arlandria residents and visitors. It is part of an overall vision to expand and improve Four Mile Run park and the surrounding neighborhood.

4MRMarket is open every Sunday from 8am until 1pm from May through October in Four Mile Run Park at 4109 Mt Vernon Avenue, Alexandria.  

(click here for directions)

For more info see: http://www.4mrmarket.org/

On Facebook: facebook.com/4MRMarket

Contact us at: 4mrm@arlandria.org

Or call the 4MRMarket hotline: (804) 4mi-Run1