Loudoun Valley HomeGrown Markets

The Brambleton community turned out in force to support us--most impressive was the number of families that attended--we had the start of the Sunflower Growing Contest there (it will be at all Markets in the next 2 weeks) and the poor volunteer from the Master Gardeners, Rick Morley, blew through 100 newspaper pots and seeds in the first hour!

It was also very impressive that most of the customers walked to the Market location, bringing reusable bags, pushing strollers or pulling wagons. We have given out LVHMA helium balloons at each Market location, but this was the first time we ran out of balloons--I have no idea of how many we gave away, but more than anywhere else!

The customers were interested in the products and asked many questions. Donnie Ulmer (Milcreek Farms) was grilling samples and running them to his tent all day, while Lori Corcoran (Corcoran's Vineyards) served over 100 tastings and completely ran out of wine to sell! By 10:30 am, Lorraine of Lola's Cookies had called her husband to bring out everything extra they had left in their shop--even with that, she still ran out of almost everything by noon. Only 2 vendors actually brought eggs (2 others wish they had!)--and they sold out by 10 am.

It took Deb Matthews of Chase Your Tail Bakery (Dog Treats) over 2 hours to finish eating her breakfast bagel, she was so busy with customers. You may all know that she brings life sized stuffed "dogs" to decorate her booth--something for kids to hug and pet. Well, a large Golden Retriever (?) was terrified of her stuffed "Sheepdog" until she turned it's butt around so the Golden could approach and sniff--very lifelike! New LVHMA Member Bill Baker of New Asbury Farm set up a very attractive booth promoting their lamb--complete with prepared samples and recipes. The samples ran out early, but New Asbury is located about 2 miles from Brambleton, so they hope to attract visitors to their farm between Markets.

We also want to give a BIG "Thank You" to the produce vendors who gave me their left over product to take over to Madison House in Leesburg--Pleitez Produce, Medina's Produce and Bigg Riggs. Madison House is a Senior Living Complex with 99 residents--all in Government subsidized housing and some living on zero income. They do not often get any fresh produce in their diets and they were thrilled to get fresh vegetables "from the country!!!" as one resident told me. LVHMA will adopt these folks for one of our charities and I will continue to take any available product from any of our generous vendors to them.

Brambleton was awesome! Already our vendors are asking if we can do it twice a month--definitely something to think about!

--Judy Stroske, LVHMA Market Coordinator