Alexandria’s farmers’ markets are adapting to the new coronavirus restrictions with a new Market To-Go program.

Under the new system, visitors will browse vendors online and place orders, then pick them up at the market with minimal social interaction.

“[With] the Farmers’ Market To-Go program, residents can access fresh food from their favorite vendors while also maintaining social distancing,” Leah Spellman, Director of Communications for Visit Alexandria. “Customers will browse a list of participating vendors online then contact the vendor to place their orders. Pick-ups will take place during Alexandria’s regular farmers’ market locations during their regular times.”

The new market is formed from a partnership with Visit Alexandria, which will oversee the new web page showcasing participating vendors.

“From fresh produce delivered straight from local farms to specialty items like made-from-scratch gluten-free empanadas, visit the Farmers Market To-Go web page for a full list of pick-up offerings,” Spellman said. “Vendors will be added to the web page daily.”

Customers are asked to keep six feet apart from vendors during interactions and to wash all purchased food before eating it.

There are four farmers markets participating, from the large Old Town one to a few smaller ones across the city:

• Old Town Farmers Market: Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon at Market Square (301 King Street)
• Del Ray Farmers Market: Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon at the corner of East Oxford & Mount Vernon Avenues
• Old Town North Farmers Market: Thursdays from 3-7 p.m. at Montgomery Park (901 North Royal Street)
• Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market: Sundays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (4109 Mt Vernon Avenue)

The only vendor currently registered at the last two markets is Ana S Twist, a healthy food vendor with a focus on Ecuadorian cuisine.

The Farmers Market To-Go program is the newest part of a suite of new features from Visit Alexandria called ALX at Home. The group was praised by the City Council at a meeting earlier this week for rapidly redeploying their resources to focus on social distance-friendly marketing.

“[ALX at Home] allows residents and visitors to experience Alexandria’s restaurants, shops and attractions from the comfort of their own home,” Spellman said. “From care packages and quarantine kits you can order online to curbside pickup at your favorite restaurants, ALX at Home features more than 100 ways to support the independent businesses that make Alexandria so special.”

Photo courtesy Visit Alexandria