Buying locally has many advantages, but what your taste buds care about most is flavor. Pick up fresh-picked berries, seasonal produce and just-caught fish—or grab ready-made grub such as tacos, Turkish delight and doughnuts—from a nearby farmers market. You’ll find one popping up almost every day of the week around Arlington. Note that many vendors sell at multiple locations, so check their websites for a full list.
Arlington FRESHFARM Market
This market has been serving our community since 1979. Open year-round on Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, it’s home to a long list of loyal vendors. Get soaps and skincare products from Bannerbee Company, homemade pasta from Pasta Ilgato, and homemade dog treats from Three Puppies Treats. If you’re looking for basic, fresh ingredients, stop at Potomac Vegetable Farms for fruit and veggies or Cold Country Salmon for frozen seafood. 1400 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington (Courthouse)
Ballston Farmers Market
Also presented by FRESHFARM, the market at Ballston’s Welburn Square is open Thursdays, 3-7 p.m., through November. Grab fresh coffee from Midas Touch Coffee,  veggies from Anchor Nursery or spring rolls and wontons from Lily’s Spring Roll & Banh House. On the first Thursday of the month, the market becomes an even bigger Mega Market featuring live performances and a beer and wine garden for pre- or post-shopping relaxation. 901 N. Taylor St., Arlington (Ballston)
Cherrydale Farmers Market
One of four local Field to Table Farmers Markets, this five-year-old pop-up is a producer-only market, meaning that all the sellers grow, raise or prepare the food themselves within 125 miles of Arlington. Open Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, through November, it welcomes vendors such as Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe, Baguette Republic, Linda Vista Farm and J’aime Madeleine, founded by former White House pastry chef Patrice Olivon. 4100 Vacation Lane, Arlington (Cherrydale)
Columbia Pike Farmers Market
Pike Park plays host to this bountiful market every Sunday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. If you don’t have time to eat before you go, no worries. Pick up a scones or muffins from Grace’s Pastries to munch as you shop. Find spreads and jams at Gina’s All Natural Products, artisan cheeses from Redbud Creamery and fresh produce from family-owned and -operated Westmoreland Produce. 2820 Columbia Pike, Arlington
Del Ray Farmers Market
Celebrating its 32nd anniversary in September, this year-round Alexandria farmers market is open Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, and the list of vendors is long. Pick up heritage and modern dry ciders made with Shenandoah apples from Lost Boy Cider, microgreens from Roots ‘n Shoots, fresh meat, eggs, pasta and sauce from Smith Meadows, and fruits and veggies grown without pesticides from Toigo Orchards. 203 E. Oxford Ave., Alexandria
Fairlington Farmers Market
Another Field to Table Farmers Market, this neighborhood bazaar is open Sundays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., through Nov. 22. Use the market map to find what you’re looking for, plus something new that you didn’t know you needed. Discover handmade Chinese dumplings from Jinlan Wenhua made with ingredients from local farms, dried fruit and nuts from Family of Nuts, European baked goods such as croissants, quiches, muffins and breads from Roggenart Bakery, and all the best carbs from Pasta Ilgatto. 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington (Fairlington)
Falls Church Farmers Market
A longtime fixture in the City Hall parking lot on Saturdays, this sprawling year-round market welcomes flowers from Bee’s Wing Farm, Turkish pastries from Borek-G, crabcakes, soup and baked goods from Chris’ Marketplace and a breakfast sandwich to fuel up while you shop from Hog Haven Farm. Market hours are 8 a.m.-noon April-December and 9 a.m.-noon January-March. Check the website for the monthly chef series, where local chefs demo recipes (with tastings) using market ingredients, and Fit at the Farmers Market, a variety of free classes offered by local fitness studios. 300 Park Ave., Falls Church
Green Valley Farmers Market
Coming back for its second year, the Community Association of Resources for Education, Enrichment & Economics launched this market to give Green Valley residents access to fresh ingredients and foods. Also on deck are family-friendly activities, such as the Friday night fish fry and live healthy cooking demonstrations. Visit the market Fridays, 4-7 p.m., through November. Check the website for weekly vendors lists. John Robinson Jr. Town Square, 2406 S. Shirlington Road, Arlington (Green Valley)
Lubber Run Farmers Market
Take the fam here Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, April-November. Pick out sustainable produce from Barajas Produce, get sandwich fixins from Big Boy Biscuits and choose French desserts from J’aime Madeleine, a patisserie by former White House chef Patrice Olivon. 4401 N. Henderson Road, Arlington
McLean Farmers Market
Stop by Fridays, 8 a.m.-noon, through Oct. 31, and enjoy live music while you browse sweets from Grace’s Pastries, handcrafted arancini from Sicilian Mom and veggies, fresh fruit, herbs and flowers from Westmoreland Produce. Click the vendors you’re interested in here to see which dates they’ll be onsite. 1659 Chain Bridge Road, McLean (Lewinsville Park)
Met Park Market
Hosting some 50 vendors per week, this EatLoco Farmers Market is open Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., through October 31. Sellers include Tyson Farms, Roggenart Bakery, Crystal Star Market—a seller of Wagyu beef, pastured pork and local chicken—and Pet Wants Falls Church. For exotic mushrooms grown in nearby Loudoun County, check out the fungi from Three Cap Farms. 1400 S. Eads St., Arlington (National Landing)
Mosaic FRESHFARM Market
Now in its seventh year, this popular weekend market operates year-round, often incorporating holiday themes and live entertainment, not to mention Insta-worthy photo ops. The long list of vendors on Sundays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., includes DMV Empanadas, Midas Touch Coffee, Twin Springs Fruit Farm, produce purveyor Kilmer’s Farm Market and Ovoka Farm, a local provider of wagyu beef. 2910 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Rosslyn FRESHFARM Market
Part free concert venue, part farmers market, this weekday market near the Rosslyn Metro station is convenient for residents and commuters. Brutto Breads, Diaz Berries and Veggies and Frazier Fruit Farm are ready to help fill your fruit bowl and pantry. Find it Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m., through Oct. 28. Central Place Plaza, 1800 N. Lynn St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Westover Farmers Market
This Field to Table market is open Sundays, 8 a.m.-noon, April-November and 9 a.m.-1 p.m., December-March. Snack on a breakfast burrito from Atlixco’s Mexican Grille or baked goods from Great Harvest Bread Co. while you bag mushrooms from King Mushrooms and fresh Oriental and Mexican produce from Linda Vista Farm. 1644 N. McKinley Road, Arlington (Westover)
