August 26, 2006

The Animal Welfare Institute, a long-time sponsor of Eating Fresh Publications' "Great News about Grass" pamphlet, recently agreed to upgrade its organizational sponsorship to include support for GRAZEFEST: A National Campaign in Support of Pasture-Based Foods from America's Small Farms. Several producers at the Market have participated in GRAZEFEST in years past.

"As an organization dedicated to the protection of animals, we strongly believe grass-based farming offers the greatest hope for farming in harmony with the nature of animals and the environment," said Cathy Liss, president of AWI. "GRAZEFEST provides an excellent platform for demonstrating to consumers that there are alternatives to factory farming and its devastating effects. We're honored to have a role in this effort."

Launched by Eating Fresh in September 2004, GRAZEFEST events are regional food and farming celebrations organized by farmers markets, nonprofit organizations, and businesses throughout the year for the purpose of connecting consumers to the culinary, nutritional, environmental, wildlife, and animal-welfare benefits of grass-based farming.

More news at http://www.eatingfresh.com/gf-awi.html

With more than 30 vendors, there's fresh everything at the market. Meat, Cheese, Milk, Butter, Bread, Baked goods, Flowers-- potted, cut, or dried, Sorbet and Specialty items.

Throughout the August heat, you will be able to find plenty of fresh Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peppers, Onions, Eggplant, Potatoes, Greens and other staples from many vendors.

Several vendors will have Peaches and Nectarines, including Sylvan Farm, Toigo Orchards, D&S Farm and Twin Springs Fruit Farm.

Look for Italian Plums later in the month at Toigo and Rice’s Farm and Twin Springs, which will also have a new crop of Apples soon.

Blackberries are near the end at Pleasant Fields Farm while D&S, and Westmoreland Berry Farm will have them for several more weeks. Blueberries may be around for one, maybe two weeks.

Watermelon is in at Pleasant Fields.

A variety of beans will start coming in in August. Lima Beans and maybe Black Eyed Peas at Musachio Produce Farm, and String Beans at Pleasant Fields.

Potomac Vegetable Farms will continue a variety of herbs, and try the dandelion greens.

Gardeners Gourmet will have additional greens such as a mix of 4 Kale varieties, and expect to have 6 to 10 varieties of Heirloom Tomatoes each week. They ask you not to refrigerate the tomatoes, as they loose flavor, and the skin gets hard.

Wheatland Farm will be harvesting Okra soon, and bringing in 5 Squash varieties, including a Middle East Squash good for grilling.

As September approaches, look for autumn greens, such as Collards, Spinach, Kale, Turnip and Beat.

These are just a few hi-lites to look forward to among the tables of fresh food at the Producers only Arlington Farmers Market.

Interested in volunteering to support your local farmers and producers? To volunteer, e-mail Monica Lear at lear@vt.edu