While the opening date for Lorton's Farmers Market is still to be determined, Fairfax County Park Authority announced that three farmers markets will open in May with plans to phase in other markets as resources allow.
The markets will be decidedly different than in the past as the Park Authority complies with Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s social distancing orders and safety guidelines.
Market shoppers will be asked to comply with all COVID-19 health and social distancing requirements designed to protect customers, market staff and volunteers:
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- No more than 2 family members in the market
- Face covering strongly recommended
- No pets
- Keep a 6-foot distance from others
- One customer per stall
- Do not touch surfaces. Let vendors bag purchases.
- Credit or debit card payments preferred
- No on-site eating of purchases or sampling
- Do not linger. Get in and get out quickly.
- Leave by Exits only
Open markets:
Saturdays, beginning May 9: Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne Shopping Center, 8 a.m. to noon.
Wednesdays, beginning May 13: Mount Vernon/McCutcheon Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon.
Saturdays, beginning May 16: Burke Farmers Market at the Burke VRE parking lot, 8 a.m. to noon.
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Following the initial market openings in May, the Park Authority will evaluate the operations, staffing needs, volunteer resources, and other considerations to determine if any changes are needed. The agency is hoping for successful 2020 market debuts that will pave the way for the opening of all FCPA farmers markets.
More details including SNAP benefits and information on pre-ordering and streamlined payment and pickup options to make market visits relatively brief can be found here.
The Fairfax County Farmers Markets operate 10 farmers markets across Fairfax County under the Fairfax County Park Authority. By providing access to locally grown foods, the farmers market program strives to improve the health of Fairfax County citizens, support local food producers, and protect the environment.
FCPA markets are strictly producer-only, meaning that all of their farmers and producers may only sell what they raise on their farms or make from scratch. Vendors are encouraged to use local ingredients in the creation of their products as much as possible. All farmers and producers come from within a 125-mile radius of Fairfax County.
See all Lorton Farmers Market Vendors HERE.