Willowsford Farm Market – Asparagus to Zinnias

I love farmers’ markets.  Farmers’ markets can be counted on to provide a wide variety of just-picked fresh produce for our kitchens.   And the vendors usually offer ready-to-eat foods, miscellaneous other goodies, and a connection to the farm that I can just feel. I believe that visiting the farmers’ market is an experience to be savored.

The only hitch with most farmers’ markets is that they aren’t open every day.  So what do you do if you need veggies and the market isn’t open, or the one that’s open is too a long drive from your home?

The Willowsford community in northern Virginia, with its integrated Willowsford farm market, was intended to provide the answer to these questions.  I live nearby this development and decided to check it out.

Food Transportation Costs

In the good ole’ days, the fruits and veggies on a family’s table came from their own backyard.  The peaches, pears, melons, tomatoes, and herbs were all bursting with fresh-from-the-garden flavor.  But these days, most families are too busy to grow their own food.  As a result, the average American meal travels about 1500 miles from farm to plate, according to the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture.

Long-distance transportation of food requires a significant amount fossil fuels and contributes to global warming.  Also, produce for transport is often picked before it’s ripe.  And, in some cases, farmers have favored varieties of veggies that transport well over those that would be tastier but less durable.  Sadly, we’ve all experienced the cardboard tomato.

Farm-to Table Establishments

People have begun to appreciate being able to buy food that’s produced locally.  These “locavores” search out the best farm-to-table restaurants and farmers market.  It’s become a thing.  A recent study by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) showed that 73% of Americans put a high priority on having access to fresh, healthy foods.

The developers of the Willowsford community decided to create an “agrihood.”  The ULI has defined an agrihood as a master planned or residential community built with a working farm as a focus.  Willowsford fits that definition perfectly. The residents can buy produce, volunteer at the farm, take culinary classes, and enjoy 2,000 acres of meadows, forests, wetlands, ponds and creeks.  The abundant open space provides opportunities for biking, hiking, and dog walking close to home.

Serving the Broader Community

The Willowsford farm serves a broader community than just the residents of the neighborhood.  The Willowsford farm market is open five days per week, Tuesday through Saturday.  And while I was visiting the Willowsford community on a recent Saturday, a steady stream of customers walked over to the market from their homes or pulled up in cars.

A Wide Variety

Just like the headline of this post indicates, Willowsford Farm produces a wide variety of produce.  They offer more than 100 kinds of vegetables, fruits, and herbs.  And yes, I did see both Asparagus and Zinnias!  The crops are grown organically, without the use of herbicides or pesticides.

Replacing Golf Courses

Developers have traditionally added golf courses to their communities.  The inclusion of open space increased the value of the homes but were costly to maintain.  Food-based amenities like farms and community gardens may provide a better alternative.

Food Halls, Not Food Deserts

Urban areas are prone to having food deserts.  People who live in food deserts have no car and no grocery store within a mile of their home.  Instead, the residents of these communities rely on quickie marts for their food.  These stores generally lack nutritious produce and instead offer highly processed foods that are high in fat, sugar, and salt.  The USDA has created a map that shows the location of food deserts.

A possible solution to food deserts are food halls.  Food halls are modeled after indoor markets that were common a century ago.  Vendors occupy stalls within the hall.  According to the ULI, food halls can help to improve the access of low-income communities to fresh, local food and economic opportunities by accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. They may also offer “food incubator” spaces, which house shared kitchens and training programs for new food businesses.

Find a Market Near You

Want to find a farm or farmers’ market near your home?  Local Harvest provides a searchable map.  All you need to do is enter your zip code.  When I opened up the page, look who was on the list of featured members:  the Willowsford Farm Market!  I’ll be going back there soon, and I’ll hope to see you there.