It's not just fruit and vegetables at the Farmers Market

When the Manassas Farmers Market opened 25 years ago, it was primarily a place where local residents could go to buy just  fresh fruits and vegetables.

 Through the years, however, the market has been changing, and now the Saturday market not only has fresh fruits and vegetables but also a variety of other items, ranging from hot sauce, to doll clothes, to plants and flowers to coffee and baked goods.

Dave Mangione, market master, believes the  change has been good for the market.

“The more of a variety of vendors we can attract to the market, the more the public has to choose from,” he said.

Each Saturday about 35 of the vendors, including those selling fruits and vegetables, fill the parking lot beside the train depot.

By contrast, about 15 vendors, who feature only homegrown produce, come out on Thursdays to set up shop in the Harris Pavilion.

Mangione said the long-time fresh fruit and vegetable vendors welcome the newcomers, making the open-air market more attractive to everyone.

Among the new vendors is Al Schallenberger of Elwood, who sells goat cheese products.

“To be successful, I believe a market should be made up of about 40 percent fresh fruit and vegetable produce,”  Schallenberger said, “and the rest offering items like baked goods, dairy products, meat and other items that people want. It’s a well-rounded market.”

Schallenberger said he loves being at the market each week.

“I love the people, and once they try my cheese, they keep coming back. I never carry any containers back home,” he said, offering market-goers a chance to sample 11 different cheeses at his booth.

Parviz Kamali has been a regular at the market for the past three years selling PK Hot Sauce.

Having started his business in 2008, Kamali said, “we offer varieties to satisfy every palette--mild, medium, hot and dangerous.”

He boasts an original recipe and a product that is all natural and free of chemicals and preservatives.

Two of his latest sellers are mango and mango-peach-pineapple.

“I love to experiment ... to create new sauces,” Kamali said. He is headquartered in Manassas and also sells wholesale to stores in the area.

“There are lots of ways to add some flavor to meals, but when you add the spicy heart of hot peppers, you may experience some additional health benefits.

“The substance that makes hot peppers hot, capsacicin, may help fight inflammation, improve heart health, clear congestion, boost immunity and lower diabetes risk,” according to Kamali.

Ernest Dodson of Madison County is one of the few farmers that grow their own vegetables and come out on Saturday rather than Thursday.

“We pretty much see the same people week after week. They love my tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, potatoes, onions, peppers and whatever is in season,” said Dobson, who has been coming to the market for 18 years.

It’s not uncommon to see long a line waiting to buy and take home some of his produce. He also goes to the  Dale City market on Sunday.

For those into baked products, Bonjour La Parisienne offers a wide variety of freshly baked breads and pastries, all out of the oven  just a few hours before being sold at the market.

“We’re up all night baking right here in Manassas--even the special orders we get. We have  a great following,” said Lahela Chapman, sales associate.

Knitting away in her booth  while waiting on customers seeking orchids, plants and artesanias was Marian Arze.

“We like coming to the market each week selling out products that include clothes, hats and ponchos--all in bright colors,” said Arze.

Christina Shotwell is a regular customer at the market each week.

“I buy all of the meat, eggs, bread and vegetables and fruit that I will use during the week for cooking,” she said.

Shotwell said she believes the food tastes better from the market, and at the same time “I’m helping out the the vendors and also helping the economy of Manassas.”

 She was packing her purchases in a little red wagon that also included her son Josef. Johannes walked with her.

 Another new feature of the market is a weekly winery that offers wine tastings.

Next week, Loudoun Valley Vineyards will offer a free drawing for four at its facility.

Saturday’s market opens at 7:30 a.m.  and runs to 2:30 p.m. but Mangione suggests coming before 12:30 p.m. to get the best selection.

Also, on occasion, a blue grass musician will show up, providing entertainment for the market shoppers.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.