Herndon consumers buying fresh vegetables at the local farmers market. Photos by Camille Kidwell/The Connection
“There is none better! This is the best of the best, a great time! I love it!”
This description is for none other than the Herndon Farmers Market. Held every Thursday in old town Herndon, the market is a place where members of the community come together to support local businesses and enjoy fresh food.
When walking down the street, the vibrancy of delicious smells and sights of the market can be overwhelming: Accompanied by the smiling faces of all the vendors, the market is an inviting place to spend the morning.
Herndon area residents have had the opportunity to create, produce and sell their own products through entering into the market. Local businesses must apply and be approved to sell their products, and are then given the chance to sell during the upcoming season. One such vendor is Laura Wigglesworth, who is often joined by her daughter Claire at their granola stand. “We sell granola bars and bagged granola” said Wigglesworth, whose interest was sparked by having fun in the kitchen and experimenting with new food. “This is my first and only market, and we love it,” she said. The family offers different flavors of granola bars every week, a favorite for many consumers who grab their morning breakfast at their stand, while simultaneously buying vegetables for dinner.
Everything one needs for a meal is within walking distance. Yet, what makes this market unparalleled is the quality of its products. All items are homegrown and fresh, made within 24 hours of selling. This is the point that vendors pride themselves upon. Owners of “Sweet Thang” bakery, who have been in the market for three years, buy nearly all of their products from the individuals at the stands next to them. “All of the eggs, fruits and vegetables that gets put into our products are from the market. It sustains our friends and lets our consumers know that our products are, fresh,” said owner Mr. Smith. Businesses therefore work together to improve their products and keep one another sustainable.
From cakes, breads, salsa, to popcorn, the market has it all.
The list of vendors includes: 100 Bowls of Soup, Chef Eloy’s Kickin Salsas, Chelsea and Pam Love Goats Farm, Fun Country Kettle Corn, Grace’s Pastries, Hutt Produce LLC, J &W Valley View Farm, McCalls Ferry Farm LLC, McCleaf’s Orchard, Mt Olympus Farm, Santa Cruz Produce, Sweet Thang Bakery LLC, The Lamb’s Quarter, Whim Pop and Wigglesworth Granola LLC.
For more information visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets/herndonmkt.htm