Beginning Saturday, November 1, Alexandria residents can sustainably repurpose their jack-o’-lanterns, pumpkins, squash, and gourds one of two ways at city farmers’ markets:
- Donate your intact, unpainted, and uncut pumpkins, gourds, and squash to feed local families with ALIVE! Alexandria; or
- Bring your jack-o’-lanterns, pumpkins, gourds, and squash in ANY condition (including molding or rotting items) to any Food Waste Drop-Off Station to divert waste from the landfill and create nutrient-rich compost! Please remove any candles, wax or non-compostable materials and cut into small pieces.
Residents can drop off items for donation or composting at the following Food Waste Drop-Off locations the weekends of Nov. 1-2, Nov. 8-9, and Nov. 15-16:
- Old Town Farmers’ Market – 301 King St.; Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Del Ray Farmers’ Market – Corner of East Oxford & Mt. Vernon Avenues; Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Four Mile Run Farmers’ Market – 4109 Mt. Vernon Ave.; Sundays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- West End Farmers’ Market – 4800 Brenman Park Drive; Sundays, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Old Town North Farmers’ Market – 901 North Royal St.; Sundays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- The Market at Southern Towers – 4901 Seminary Rd.; Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Residents who receive curbside compost collection services will be able to place one jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins, gourds, and squash out with their bins for collection on their regularly scheduled pickup day, per week.
To learn more about the 2025 Pumpkin Rescue, visit alexandriava.gov/go/4299.