Farmers Market

Hey folks-
What do you think of having a Farmers Market at the Nature Center once a month (or more frequently if it's popular)?

 

I think that's a great idea! Especially since my tomato plants aren't doing so hot this summer!

 

I'd be thrilled!

 

I'd definitely go!

 

Great idea!

 

Great Idea! I would go. My basil plants were explosive last year and this year the one I planted is almost non existent.

 

That would be awesome....we never seem to be able to get to Leesburg or Countryside for their Farmers Market...having one right in our neighborhood would be wonderful!!!

 

I would LOVE that!

 

Great idea Cliff!

 

yeah, great idea cliff!

 

Every other week or weekly would be super cool too!

 

I am in agreement with everyone else, this would be a great assett to our community.

 

I for one would be against the Farmers Market. Why have our own when we have others within 5 miles. In cases of farmers markets, competition is not a good thing. Plus, the other markets could possibly try to prevent the Broadlands Market from starting by spreading innuendo and 1/2 truths... Who needs that hassle!

The extra traffic would also be a nightmare. Why we would have small delivery trucks racing through our streets on Market day(s).

Also, what if a farmer decides he wants to fly his goods in on a helicopter, the sheer panic it would cause!

And don't forget the kind of people these Markets attract. There could even be a migrant worker or two in the bunch!

 

It would be wonderful to have a farmers market in our own community. Thanks for looking into this!

 

T8erman--lol!

We are in our second year down here--arranged through the County. It now occurs weekly, Saturday afternoon from 2-5.

Last year I was afraid that we wouldn't make a go of it, because it was Wednesday afternoon during rush hour and no more than a couple dozen people went any given week. This year's date and time are much better, but it's still no more than a handful of folks at any given time you go.

With gas prices, bad roads, and the fact that the vendors come from so far away, everyone's support is vital for the service to occur and continue.

Loudoun's requirement for vendors is that the sellers produce the product, and that they are located within 200 MILES of Loudoun. Pretty broad--the folks who bring produce here are primarily from West VA, and there are only a couple of those. The rest of the market here are two bakers, a salsa maker, gourmet dog biscuits, a butterfly farm, herbs and flowers, and a meat producer. Last year we had vendors from Culpeper and chocolatier from southern Fauquier.

One thing I noticed here was a lot of people saying how great it would be to have one, and then once we had it very thin participation. I know all the folks on this thread can't be expected to support one by themselves, but bear in mind that the community really needs to get behind it with their pocketbooks if it is to be worthwhile for the vendors to sell there.

Best of luck!

 

AWESOME idea... can it start this weekend??? and do you mean just produce, or other food items as well?

 

Farmer's market to me say fresh vegetables and fruit among other things, but primarily vegetables and fruit.....it doesn't sound like the one in South Riding has that......maybe that's why the people don't come?? I know I wouldn't...I love corn from the farmer's market and tomatoes, zucchini, etc. YUM

 

love it. we would go!

 

It says fruits and vegetables to me too--unfortunately, there is not enough of that produced in bulk in Loudoun to fill as many farmers markets as the county promotes.

A lot of the products available have little relation to traditional farming, but they are still nice items.

Why do you think they have a 200 mile limit on participation? Aside from a few pick-your-owns, there isn't much real farming in Loudoun.

 

I didn't know there WAS one in S. Riding. I've been wondering where to find one (at a time on a day that I can actually go)!