James Smith offers a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.  His family has been farming for 20 years.  They started out with 5 acres and eventually purchased a 39 acre farm in Westmoreland County.  A lot of blood, sweat and tears, but they wouldn’t want to do anything but what they are doing.  His family loves farming and they are are hoping that their boys will want to take over someday.  This year they are planting a lot of early crops: kohlrabi, mixed lettuce, bok choy, herbs, swiss chard and strawberries.Also expect to see kale, collard greens, mustard greens, turnips, okra, and all kinds of lettuces. 

Great Harvest breads are a hearty, delicious addition to the West End Farmers Market.  Specializing in handmade breads using fresh whole grains, their breads are perfect for work-day sandwiches, while the variety of sweet breads and rolls will make your mouth water.Because the grain is freshly milled, whole wheat tastes phenomenal, and fresh whole grain bread is life-enhancing.  They use premium wheat bought from family-owned farms in Montana, pure and simple ingredients.   You won't find additives, preservative or any ingredients you can't pronounce!

Fresh Joseph's has been operating at local farmers markets since 1984. They sell fresh orange juice by the glass, squeezed on site, and in quarts and half gallon containers for take home.  You can't beat the taste of fresh squeezed juice! They also sell a variety of fresh baked scones, macaroons, pizzelles and other baked goods.  You can also buy fresh mozzarella cheese.

Aimee and Millie of The Dressed Up Nut make delicious nuts, covering the entire range of taste sensations: sweet, savory, hot, or salty. Each small batch, heirloom recipe bag of nuts will have you and your guests wanting for more. A must for every table whether it be a festive holiday, an elegant party or just a simple dinner at home.

It all started with the Sherry Walnut. They were a Christmas tradition for Aimee's family in the 80's and 90's. Grandmother Steel (aka: "Dot") would only make them at the holidays and so they were rationed accordingly to savor the sweet treat through the new year. For years, Dot refused to give up the recipe, but once she finally relented, her granddaughter Aimee began making them for friends, coworkers and family. The feedback was tremendous and the message was consistent: sell them. So after careful consideration and finding commercial kitchen space, Aimee teamed with her mother Millie, and in late 2009, The Dressed Up Nut was cracked.

Millie and Aimee are very particular, so what you see and taste has been carefully vetted for flavor and quality. Try any of them on a salad for a sweet or zesty crunch. Add the sherry walnuts to your pancake batter for a twist on an old favorite. Chop up the bourbon pecans and add to a variety of sweet potato dishes for a spicy, crunchy contrast. And don’t be surprised if you find that these nuts become your favorite snack:

• Sherry Walnuts ~ 8oz ~ $7.95
• Sweet Roasted Almonds ~ 8oz ~ $7.95
• Bourbon Pecans ~ 6oz ~ $9.95
• Slow Peppered Almonds ~ 8oz ~ $7.95
• Honey-Chipotle Pecans ~ 6oz ~ $9.95

The Maple Avenue Market and Farm's On the GOurmet truck features local foods from Chris and Sara Guerre's Maple Avenue Market – a small, family/farmer owned grocery store in downtown Vienna, Virginia and the Maple Avenue Market Farm  – one of the very few working farms in Fairfax County. The farm, located in Northern Fairfax County just 15 miles from Clarendon, grows organic-equivalent vegetables to sell at the West End Farmers Market and the Maple Avenue Market. The Maple Avenue Market Farm is also proud to be the first and only local farm working directly with Arlington County and Fairfax County Public Schools to grow fresh, healthy food.

Tucked inside a one-of-a-kind customized vehicle with hardwood flooring and a refrigerated showcase, On the GOurmet is the most talked-about, original, and only mobile food market in town! Featuring local cheeses and dairy products, naturally raised meats, organic goods, fine chocolates and sweets, homegrown produce and gift baskets.

New this year is organic garden supplies.

The farm in Montross, Virginia is run by Karla and Frank Bojorquez-Medina. Francisco Javier Medina, Jr. also known as Frankie, was born February 7th, 1977 in Orlando Florida.His parents were originally from Mexico.  His dad was always a farm worker and the family moved to different states as migrant workers to follow crops. They moved to Westmoreland County, Virginia in 1985.  Both parents worked on different farms.In the early 90s, Frankie's father started to farm on his own and sell at local markets including the Charlottesville City Market.Frankie had helped run his booth for many of those years.In 2005, Frank, Sr. was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away in 2006. 

After that, Frankie started to farm on his own, selling at local markets where his father had sold for years.Frankie and his wife Karla have two sons, one who is only a year old.  His wife Karla and her friend Martha have been coming to the West End Farmers Market for five years.They have a devoted following.

Shamba Farm is a small family farm in Culpepper, VA. Lucia and her husband started farming three years ago.  They grow vegetables, a variety of beans, herbs, berries, fruit trees and flowers.  Lucia's husband is from Wisconsin and she is from Kenya. Lucia's farther was a farmer in Keya and grew lots of flowers and macadamia nuts for export. All the vegetables and berries were taken to the market, which is where Lucia developed her passion for gardening - because her father taught her so much.

Lucia's greatest challenge is that farming in tropical weather is very, very different from farming in Virginia with seasons.  She is still learning and is looking forward to expanding and trying to grow more products.
Lucia specializes in gourmet and international produce. The first weeks of market, Lucia will be bringing edamame beans.

Founded in 1994 by Vera and Joe Port. Vera's scones are big and loaded with great things. These unique scones have become a favorite and a local staple at the West End Farmers Market. The cinnamon raisin bread a sweet sticky sensational bread. The turnovers and pastry squares are made from puff pastry dough and filled with delicious fruit. The almond horns are filled with marzipan rolled in almonds, baked and then dipped in chocolate - who could resist? They even make gluten-free products!

Based in Peach Bottom, PA, Tommy Tompkins has been with the West End Farmers Market since the first year when there were only six vendors.  He is famous in the community for the cave aged cheeses he sells.  It is easy to join the ranks of devoted Tommy customers once you taste his cheeses. 

Although the name suggests only dairy, baked goods and canned products are also available. Most of his wares are made by the Amish, the rest are made by Mennonites.

The dairy products are the ones they are most proud of, including seven pre-packaged cheeses - which  are not the typical run-of-the-mill cheese. They are produced from pasture-fed cows that are free of antibiotics and hormones.  No chemicals are sprayed in the fields.There are eight farmers in all. All of them practice old fashioned farming. One farm's milk has been certified as “Kosher” by a group from Baltimore.

The yogurt, as can be attested to by other consumers, is of the finest quality too. It is made from the milk of grass-fed Jersey cows, free of hormones or antibiotics. It is about equal to Greek style yogurt in richness and thickness, although they are made with different processes. My favorite flavor above all is the black cherry! Can't wait until it is the season for that!

More information is available online at www.amishcheesestore.com.