Vienna Farmers Market Returns With Expanded Cuisines, Pooch Parking

VIENNA, VA — Many farmers markets are run by localities or larger market managers, but Vienna's market continues to be run by a community-based organization. The Vienna Farmers Market will open for the season on Saturday, May 3, with new and returning vendors.

The nonprofit Optimist Club of Greater Vienna organizes the farmers market in the parking lot of the Vienna Community Center. Vienna Town Council members were invited to attend the farmers market opening celebration at 10 a.m. on May 3.

The 2025 market will run Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon between May 3 and Oct. 25, rain or shine. The market is completely volunteer run, and proceeds from vendor fees benefit scholarships and youth programs through the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna.

"Our volunteers are on site each of those days to help welcome patrons but also to establish a friendly, safe and inclusive environment where we have music from live bands [and] support small businesses." said Monica Isaac, president of the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna and a farmers market committee member.

No animals are allowed inside the farmers market due to health guidelines, with the exception of service dogs with documentation. However, the farmers market offers a service called "pooch parking" to allow patrons to leave their dogs in the care of volunteers while browsing the market. Isaac says this encourages people walking their dog in the neighborhood to visit the farmers market.

"Our volunteers will once again provide pooch parking services, where patrons can bring their dog to be babysat by one of our volunteers, get some fresh water and treats. It's becoming really popular," said Isaac.

Isaac said an estimated 26 vendors will take part in the 2025 farmers market. Most continents are represented in the cuisines offered by vendors, including new African offerings, expanded Asian selections, and European, Middle Eastern and more cuisines. Vendors include prepared foods, produce, desserts and more.

"The offerings are very diverse and reflect a wide array of foods from around the globe, meeting the taste buds of foodies and people interested in trying new cuisines," said Isaac.

Along with vendors, the farmers market offers live music each week.

Last year, the farmers market hosted a composting pilot program where patrons could drop off their food scraps. That composting pilot is not returning to the farmers market in 2025, as Vienna's Conservation and Sustainability Commission pushes for a permanent drop-off site. But the farmers market proved that there was an appetite for a composting service.

"It was a symbiotic relationship because people would drop off their compost in a safe and organized fashion and then replenish their food needs," said Isaac.

According to Isaac, patrons can walk, bike and drive to the farmers market. The Vienna Volunteer Fire Department offers their parking lot to farmers market patrons.

For more information on the market and a vendor map, visit the Vienna Farmers Market website.