Annandale Farmers Market Opens Thursday

The Annandale farmers market, located in the parking lot of Mason District Park located at 6621 Columbia Pike, opens for the season Thursday, May 2. The hours of the market are 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The market will be open weekly through Nov. 7.

Read profiles of 2012 Annandale farmers market vendors in Patch's "Fresh Market Finds" column.

The market includes everything from fresh tomatos to peaches. From May to November, there are 11 farmers markets across the county that come to life with a feast for the senses. The vibrant colors of freshly picked fruits and vegetables contrast with the fragrant perfume of cut flowers. The aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries floats across the market while patrons savor samples of creamy artisan cheese. You will also find fresh eggs, meats and other edible delights along with gardening plants of all sizes.

All products sold are produced by vendors within 125 miles of Fairfax County, and brokers or resellers are strictly prohibited. So you can be assured that the produce you purchase at Park Authority Farmers Markets is fresh, locally-grown and consistently good. Stop by and shop at your local Farmers Market today!

The Farmers Markets are supervised by the Fairfax County Park Authority through the Community Horticulture office based at Green Spring Gardens. The daily operations of the markets are managed by volunteer Market Masters.

Fairfax County Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners offer Plant Clinics at most markets. Citizens can bring plant or insect samples for pest identification or disease diagnosis. Master Gardeners also help citizens by having informational displays on topics such as Container Gardening or EcoSavvy Gardening.

The farmers market accepts SNAP/EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/Electronic Benefits Transfers) formerly known as Food Stamps. It's easy to use a SNAP/EBT card to buy fresh, healthy produce and other foods, according to the county.

To use your benefits, go to the Market Tent located in front of the Country Store. Tell the staff how much money you would like to spend, and they will swipe your EBT card for the amount you request. You're then given your requested amount in $1 tokens.

You may not use tokens to buy flowers or other non-food items, and no change can be given.

If you don't use all of your tokens that day, you can save them to use another day, but only at the market from which they were purchased. If your tokens are lost, we cannot replace them.

(Editor's note: Information is from Fairfax County.)