Reston Farmers Market returns with more vendors, parking constraints

RestonNow.com May 12, 2023 at 10:16am

(Updated at 1 p.m. on 5/15/2023) Reston Farmers’ Market — a staple of Lake Anne Village Center — has officially landed in Reston.

The farmers market, which launched in late April, boasts the highest-ever number of vendors this year, according to John Lovaas, founder and co-market manager.

“We have 34 vendors (up 5 from last year),” Lovaas wrote in a statement. “In addition we have a Compost collection contractor, and stands for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) managed by Cornerstones, and Fairfax Master Gardeners who provide a wide range of advice to home gardeners.”

Sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Authority, the market also allows SNAP beneficiaries to receive an up to $20 match.

Even as it boasts a record number of vendors, the market faces some parking restraints this year.

Lovaas said parking is a constraint “made more difficult” by the new Lake Anne House, which provides what he said was “inadequate parking for its 240 apartments.”

Additionally, construction work on new townhouses next to the senior housing community has complicated some efforts.

“Thankfully, there is abundant parking available just the other side of Baron Cameron Avenue from the Market and in the parking lot behind the Lake Anne Baptist Church on the Plaza,” Lovaas said.

The church, which is officially called the Washington Plaza Baptist Church, is located at 1615 Washington Plaza North.

Musicians also perform on a weekly basis at the farmers market, which is held every Saturday to December from 8 a.m. to noon.

This year’s new vendors are:

Bites by Sam-sweet & savory pies
Cocoi-Philippine donuts, sweets
Coulter Dairy Farms-certified Organic
Pho From Home-Frozen Vietnamese Soups
Poppi’s Hot Sauces

Here’s more from Reston Association on the parking changes:

Construction of new townhomes on North Shore Drive across from the Reston Farmers Market will begin shortly, making parking even more challenging. However, nearby there are two sizeable parking lots that provide alternative parking options for market attendees.

One is up behind Lake Anne Baptist Church on the Plaza. To access this lot, take the first left turn off North Shore Drive after you go through the traffic light at the entrance into the new Lake Anne House assisted living building coming from the Farmers Market. After the left turn, go straight ahead up the hill into the parking area.

On the opposite side of Baron Cameron Avenue from Lake Anne Village Center & the Farmers Market, there is parking straight ahead by the RA tennis courts, and off to the right by the Browns Chapel and the baseball field. There is a crosswalk with a signal light on Baron Cameron for a safe walk back to Lake Anne.