Jean Janssen just founded a group of farmers markets serving Northern Virginia. Smart Markets Inc. — in Fairfax City, Oakton and Reston — use produce from local farmers only.

What made you start these markets?

I volunteered for years at the markets in Fairfax County and I noticed that the counties didn’t spend any money on promotion; they provided a spot, and they see that as the end of their vision. I just thought it was a lot of wasted potential; these busier markets reach their plateau and stay there; they don’t continue to grow.

What type of restrictions does your market have?

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We are producer-only. We’re not as strict as others, which require the value-added salesman to buy locally, but we’re hoping to work toward that as well.

How did you get involved with farmers markets?

I was a caterer, and after I started catering in Vienna, they were looking for a market master and all the producers who knew me pretty much talked me into it. I grew up in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, and had lots of family members who were farmers, so I’ve always known something about it.

Has this been a tough season for farmers?

We’re a new market, so it’s hard to gauge; we’ve seen increases every week, but others have seen dips in sales. What affects farmers more than anything is the weather, and they did have problems in the spring because it rained so much. They’ve had other difficulties to deal with, such as paying $5.50 a gallon for diesel to come to the markets.

What’s your favorite thing to see show up at the market?

Probably in the summer, it’s the corn. You can’t help but pick up that buzz from customers. If you get corn and tomatoes together, you can do just about anything. – Melissa Frederick