Virginia farmers have actively pursued opportunities to let others in on their little secret: They have great products for sale. It’s as if they are saying: If you don’t want to come to our farms, we’re loading up the truck and coming into the city. Most recently there was the golden opportunity to expand the word at the farm market near the White House.

Now the area by the Ronald Reagan Building and the International Trade Center will house the latest endeavor: The Capital Harvest on the Plaza Farmers Market. This is a new venture funded by General Services Administration (GSA) and managed by Ellen and Todd Gray of Equinox. Look for products from an anticipated 18 vendors including Endless Summer Harvest, Vineyard Nursery, Lois’s Produce, and Ayrshire Farms.

The Market has two Friday openings (12:30-5 PM) this season, this Friday, October 16th and November 13th) and plans to open weekly starting in the spring. Chef Todd already has an enticing recipe, harvest apple salsa, for you to make when you go home with the bounty of farm apples. There’ll be live music and chef demonstrations, making this a perfect lunch stop or early escape from the city!

If this growth of farm markets entices you into planning a market on government property, The USDA has the guide already prepared for you. It lists what you need to know and how to go about securing a spot.

It’s definitely not too early to plan a new market for Spring.

Obviously, the interest is there!