Times They are A-Changin!

Hi there! I would like to introduce myself. My name is Jessica Blaszczak, and I am the new Manager of the Ballston Partnership's Farmers Market. Although new to the Farmers Market, I am also the manager of our Arts & Crafts Market.

I can’t express how excited I am to get things rolling this season.

To the existing vendors, I'm psyched to personally meet each and every one of you. Just like Sara, I will be available by email and assist you in any way I can. And to the potential vendors, please don’t be shy. Send us your applications! We are always looking for awesome new vendors.

I only hope I can live up to the great work and dedication in the past, as I plan to make the Ballston Partnership's Farmers more successful (and fun!) with each coming year. That's why the time and date has changed to Thursdays from 3:00pm-7:00pm. We believe this time change will bring more people, commuters and locals alike, to the Market to enjoy your quality products.

Feel free to email me at jessica@iloveballston.com with questions, concerns, applications or just to talk food!

Cheers!
Jess

Fresh from the farm produce this week at Ballston Farmers Market

Fresh from the farms this week will be apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, gooseberries, baby artichokes, beets, cabbage, carrots, sweet corn, eggplants, garlic, green beans, salad mix, watermelons, cantaloupe, French melons, vine ripened heirloom and hybrid tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet and hot peppers, , okra, onions, radishes and more! While you are at the market, pick up a bouquet of lilies from LynnVale Studios. In addition to their beauty and spirit-lifting fragrance, these freshly cut lilies can last for a good two weeks – a great value for cut flowers.

Cherry season ends in July

Cherry lovers should hurry up to the market for the last chance of getting some sweet juicy cherries, as cherry season ends in July. Also fresh from the farms this week will be green beans, new potatoes, eggplant, beets, and vine ripened heirloom and hybrid tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet and hot peppers, lettuce mix, summer squash and zucchini, sweet corn, peaches, nectarines, plums, berries and raspberries, cherries, seedless watermelons, cantaloupe, apples and more!

Eat Local Recipe Contest

Got a recipe? Submit to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) the original recipes you used to prepare your favorite locally grown and produced fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, and dairy products, along with a photo of you and/or your completed dish for a chance to win one of two Virginia Grown/Virginia’s Finest prize packages, one for adults and one for kids up to age 12. Eligible recipes and photos will be posted on the Virginia Grown Website.

The winners will be chosen by random drawing from all eligible recipe/photo entries received by VDACS no later than August 15, 2009. No purchase necessary to win.

Two prize packages of Virginia Grown produce and Virginia’s Finest products, each valued at $100, will be given away.

E-mail your recipes and photos to EatLocalVa@vdacs.virginia.gov or mail them to Eat Local Recipe Contest, VDACS, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond VA 23218. The drawings will be held no later than Friday, August 28, 2009. Read complete details in the accompanying rules here.

Red Apron Butcher Shop Considered "Best of Washington" by The Washingtonian's

First appeared in The Washingtonian's July 2009 Best of Washington issue, Red Apron Butcher Shop was recognized again in the July 6 Best Bites Blog of Washingtonian.com. Chef Nathan Anda's authentic hand cut and house cured meats are considered by the magazine one of the best Farmers Market Finds. Try their famous hot dogs, pastrami and bacon at the Ballston Farmers Market. Read more here.

Market is Open This Friday (July 3rd)

Tyson's Farms and Great Harvest Bread will bring farm fresh fruits and vegetables and artisan baked goods this Friday (July 3) to Ballston Farmers Market. Happy July 4th!

The Color Purple

Do you like purple? You should. At least when it comes to vegetables and fruits, because, believe it or not, they have high nutritional value. Anthocyanins, the pigments responsible for the purple color, are a potent phytonutrient in the flavonoids family that have potential disease-fighting benefits. The Ballston Farmers Market has a great selection of purple-hued items such as purple cabbage, purple cauliflowers, and blueberries (considered one of the most concentrated natural sources of anthocyanins). Soon it will also have purple corn on the cob! Visit us at Welburn Square in downtown Ballston (Arlington, VA) on Fridays from 11:00am-3:00pm.
Source: Farmers’ Markets Today, May/June 2009