National Farmers Market Week: Support Dale City Vendors

DALE CITY, VA — The first week of August marks National Farmers Market Week, and there's no better time to visit the Dale City Farmers Market and support local producers.

The Dale City Farmers Market is one of a handful of farmers markets available to residents across Prince William County. The farmers market is available every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Dale City Commuter Lot. It is located next to the Dairy Queen and the Comcast building.

This year, National Farmers Market Week from Aug. 1 to 7 celebrates the resiliency of farmers markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid challenges with conventional food supply chains at the start of the pandemic, farmers markets stepped up to meet a growing interest in local foods. Markets adapted to restrictions with social distancing, regulating traffic flow, advance ordering systems and more for the safety of vendors and shoppers.

This year, Prince William County's array of farmers markets are back to business as usual with few restrictions. Shoppers who are not vaccinated and children under 12 are asked to wear a mask. The farmers market in Dale City will be open year-round, though their hours change for the winter months.

See also: COVID Cases Rising In Prince William County

The Dale City Farmers Market is one of the largest in the area with nearly 50 different vendors, according to their website. The farmers market, which is organized by the Prince William County Department of Parks & Recreation, opened in 1987. Now, the producer-only market has grown to one of the largest open-air markets in the region, officials said.

The annual National Farmers Market Week celebration is coordinated by the Farmers Market Coalition, a nonprofit providing training, technical assistance and network-building to farmers markets nationwide.

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