The market is on rain or shine. Courtesy of Kathy Murphy.

When I tell people I write about farmers markets in the D.C. area, their first question is often "Which is the best one?" My answer? "It depends."

Some prefer small, intimate markets and others like bustling food hubs. One market may appeal to a shopper because it has that farmstead goat cheese he adores; another may attract because folks can linger and catch up with neighbors; yet another may suit a patron who likes to grab ingredients on her lunch break.

In honor of National Farmers Market Week, which takes place August 2 to 8, 2009, I will post a series of market profiles to help curious shoppers decide for themselves.

Stay tuned to this page for more profiles, recipes, and other good stuff. You can subscribe at the top of the page to get a notice when a new one goes live.

Profile #4: The Upper King Street Fresh Farmers Market

The Upper King Street Fresh Farmers Market is the newest market on the Alexandria local food scene. Located in the King Street Gardens Park, this grassroots endeavor offers a midweek afternoon compliment to the markets in Del Ray, West End, and lower Old Town.

The market began with four community members and an empty park. With support from experienced market managers in the city, the market committee made arrangements to fill “The Hat,” as the park is sometimes called, with fresh food and happy neighbors.

This year marks the market’s first full season. Its nine vendors offer what committee member Kathy Murphy calls “the complete meal option.” Every Wednesday, from 3 to 7 p.m., the vendors congregate in the shadow of the pointed arbor that gives the park its nickname to sell everything from fresh, locally-grown produce and artisan bread to dairy, eggs, and grass-raised meats. Shoppers can listen to live music as they peruse the offerings.

This endeavor springs completely from grassroots support, backed by the city with a few key gestures: 10 metered parking spaces and use of the park.

Market history:
According to Murphy, the idea for a market sprang from local activist Jim Melton in 2007 and caught on with several members of the Upper King Street Neighborhood Association (UKSNA). “UKSNA had long discussed that the park was under-used and the ‘upper’ King Street area was not enjoying the same revitalization evident in the ‘lower’ end of Old Town,” explained Murphy.

Along with these concerns, the group had arrived at a vision of creating sustainable community activities in their area. A farmers market in the park sounded like the perfect way to address all of the above.

The USNA Market Committee came up with a proposal, and the city agreed to a 12-week pilot market in 2008, complete with a free shuttle bus from the river end of Old Town. The market received positive feedback and the committee concluded that they had a solid, diverse base of shoppers who worked and lived in the area.

The 2009 season kicked off in May and will continue for a full spring/summer/fall season of 22 weeks.

Stand-out fact:
In 2009, the Market Committee donated $600 back to the City of Alexandria to support the Living Landscapes program.

Upper King Street Fresh Farmers Market
King Street Gardens Park
1806 King St.
Alexandria, VA

Wednesdays (rain or shine) 3-7 p.m.
2009 season: June 3-Oct 28

Want to see your favorite market profiled here? Leave a comment or email me.