Finn Ballew, 11, of Vienna takes his donut purchase from Iessa Gammo, an employee of Mama’s Donut Bites at the Vienna Farmers Market. The donuts are one of Ballew’s favorite items at the market. Photo by Mercia Hobson/The Connection
The Vienna Farmers Market reopened for the season on Saturday, May 20 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Vienna Mayor Laurie A. DiRocco and members of the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna. The 2017 season marks the 15th year the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna has sponsored and operated the market.
The Saturday market is located at 301 Center St. S. in the heart of Vienna. It is tucked away from traffic in the Faith Baptist Church parking lot and is open from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday until the end of October. With ample free parking, music, a playground, and a shaded picnic table area, the Vienna Farmers Market recently received recognition as one of "The 10 Best Farmers Markets in Virginia," ranked as #6 by Best Things Virginia Powered by Americantowns Media.
At the May 28 Farmers Market, Laurie Cole, a member of The Optimist Club of Greater Vienna said that proceeds from the 100 percent volunteer-managed market support the Club’s charitable community service projects which help Greater Vienna youth through projects such as scholarships, awards, and sponsorship of educational and school activities.
“Everything we do is for the benefit of young people in the community; not just sports and academics,” said Cole.
Dick Gongaware was also volunteering as a member of The Optimist Club of Greater Vienna at the Farmers market. Gongaware agreed with Cole and said, “We are a community-based organization. We know the people we are giving to, and we want to support them.”
EARLY SATURDAY MORNING, other volunteers from The Optimist Club of Greater Vienna, including Jim Stivison, Market Manager, were on hand to welcome vendors and market-goers alike. According to Stivison, the Vienna Farmers Market is a Certified Farmers Market meaning producers must be able to provide proof of local produce and take pride in the products available for sale. “We offer the freshest food, as we have a trust to the people of Vienna," Stivison said.
As a Producer-Only Market, farmers and producers offer only products they grow, raise, bake or make themselves, Stivison explained. There are a couple of exceptions though, Stivison said. For instance, the in-town coffee and tea maker, Caffe Amouri roasts their fair trade coffee blends in Vienna and the olive oil, olive, and vinegar vendor, Olive Oil, and Friends, LLC locally processes their olives grown on the family's farm in Greece.
The Vienna Farmers Market is the perfect go-to Saturday morning destination for people of all ages and walks of life. With 28 vendors, the market is diverse and offers the highest quality products. Market goers can select locally grown produce such as strawberries and leafy greens from vendors such as Kuhn Orchards or Westmorland Orchards, freshly baked bread and bakery items from The Farm Market Bakery, to ready to eat products.
Diane Miller was working the counter at Kuhn Orchard. Asked to share a bit about Kuhn Orchard and what sets it apart from other farms she said, "Although our main production is peaches, we pride ourselves on the quality of all our produce. We are a 5th generation farm from Cashtown, Pa. "
Rich Sarhanis from South Hill is the owner of Smiths of Mecklenburg, producers of all-natural, real country sausages, hand-tied and gluten-free. He stood next to four large ice coolers. "The sausages are made on Tuesday, and as soon as they are rolled out, they are put into the freezer. There are no preservatives. We offer 14 varieties of meats, including German-style brats and a bacon burger that’s 60 percent beef and 40 percent bacon."
The farmers market also offers delicious ready-to-eat homemade treats that can be enjoyed by market-goers at the picnic tables or later at home. Among the many prepared breakfast and lunch foods offered at the market were crepes and tacos by Crepes and Mexican Fare, free trade coffee by Cafe Amouri, donuts by Mama's Donut Bites and BBQ ribs and meats by Warhorse Smokers BBQ & Co. And in case a market-goer has a dog waiting at the picnic table area (sorry, no dogs are allowed in the market area), Kelly Diamond, the owner of Dog Love, sells small batch all-natural dog biscuits at her stall in the open-air market.
BESIDES QUALITY PRODUCE and ready-made products, the market offers customers something money can't buy — a friendly hometown feel where the vendors say the customers are like family. When asked how the Vienna market compared to other markets McCleaf Orchards serves, Vicky McCleaf, an owner said, "Vienna's a great town. This is our 11th year, and my customers have become my friends."
Iesso Gammo was working the counter at the quick-paced Mama's Donuts Bites, with a line of about 10 customers patiently waiting and chatting amongst themselves. When asked what he thought of the Vienna market, Gammo replied, "This farmers market is like family. I've been working five years. We started off here, and there's nothing like it."
For more information about the Saturday Vienna Farmers Market operated by The Optimist Club of Greater Vienna, visit optimistclubofgreatervienna.org.