Ariel Dooley searches for a loaf of rye bread, but it is already sold out at 8:30 a.m. at Baguette Republic. A variety of sourdough breads, both sliced and unsliced, are also popular as well as their namesake, the baguette. And the focaccia is back in season, either roasted red pepper and tomato or jalapeño and onion. Photo by Shirley Ruhe/The Connection
Come hungry to the Lubber Run Farmer’s Market at 4401 N. Henderson. The row of leafy lettuces and bright red strawberries beckons but before you get there, Ozfeka Catering offers a choice of spinach and mozzarella, chicken or beef boreks, almost a layered Turkish sandwich with filo. Close by you can sample naturally fermented cheese curds from Caputo Brothers family-owned creamery from Central Pennsylvania.
On the other side of the market, Coop Coffee is doing a brisk business with its Guatemalan coffee selections which you can pair with a croissant or muffin from Baguette Republic.
Anna’s Twist has added tamales stuffed with fresh butter, spring onions and fresh cheese plus a new soursop sorbet and guanabana juice to its regular selection of Ecuadorian enchiladas, sorbets and soups. And Old Blue BBQ offers something for now, for later, or for both.
Of course, the 33 stalls in the market also offer the fresh produce that drew you there in the first place. While some COVID restrictions are still in place, requiring vendors to wear facial coverings, this year customers are able to pick up a carton of strawberries to sniff for ripeness or to inspect the bunch of beets for uniform size.
Although CDC and Virginia guidelines don’t require facial coverings for those who have been fully vaccinated, masks are recommended in farmers markets regardless of vaccination status.
Arlington currently has nine farmers markets open around the County on different days of the week.