EATLOCO SATURDAY MARKET AT METPARK
Welcome to EatLoco's Saturday Farmers Market at Met Park Open Seasonally on Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
METPARK FARMERS MARKET UPDATES (last updated September 26, 2024)
Market Date And Time:
Saturday, Sep 28, 2024, 9am - 1pm
Saturday, Oct 05, 2024, 9am - 1pm
Saturday, Oct 12, 2024, 9am - 1pm
Saturday, Oct 19, 2024, 9am - 1pm
Saturday, Oct 26, 2024, 9am - 1pm
Location: Metropolitan Park | 1330 S Fair Street
General Information about MetPark
MetPark is a meeting place, where people come to meet friends, walk their dog, go for a morning stroll, and of course shop at the EatLoco Farmers market. We were given a tour of MetPark by their construction company on Feb 1st. The park is nothing short of phenomenal! We feel so honored they choose EatLoco to be their Farmers Market of choice. MetPark is two and a half acres of green beautiful landscape, a small play area for kids, a dog park that's connected to the park and even a beautiful walk-way that weaves its way through the park from one end to the other. Picnic tables are throughout the park for visitors to sit and enjoy their hot-food, juice, bagel & coffee. visitors can also enjoy the MetPark Tuesday Farmers Market, offering a similar lineup of fresh produce, local crafts, and hot food options.
MetPark features:
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Lush green spaces perfect for picnics and gatherings
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A dog park for small and large dogs
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A kids' playground with fun and safe equipment
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A picturesque walking path that winds through the entire park visitors can enjoy delicious hot food, fresh produce, and local crafts while relaxing at the park’s picnic tables.
Community areas include:
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Central Green: An 8,800 square foot Central Green, an open lawn within the park, with capacity to host several hundred people for movie nights and events.
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Dog Runs: Two dog runs for small and large dogs, totaling 4,000 square feet.
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Playground: A 5,000 square foot public playground.
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Edible Garden: A 2,300-square-foot landscaped garden with edible plants and a community table in the center for gathering.
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Public Art: Public arts throughout the park by national and local artists.
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Variety of Seating: A variety of seating options, ranging from hammocks and lounge chairs to natural stone seating and custom benches.
CENTRAL GREEN VENDORS GUIDELINES
The Central Green is primarily reserved for hot food vendors, although some non-hot food vendors also participate. Below are important guidelines for all Central Green vendors:
Propane Safety:
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Propane Tanks: Vendors using propane must secure their tanks in a box or crate to prevent them from rolling around.
Power Access:
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Electrical Power: Plug into the park's power outlets as generators are prohibited. Ensure you bring at least a 100-foot extension cord.
Parking for Central Green Vendors:
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Free Parking on S. Fair Street: Reserved for Central Green vendors. Display your parking pass to avoid towing.
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Permit Requirement: Obtain your parking permit from Dan. Only park on the right side of S. Fair Street.
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One Vehicle Rule: Vendors may only use one parking space. Additional vehicles should park in the garage or on other streets.
Setup Instructions:
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Weekly Layout: Vendors must check the weekly layout to confirm their assigned location. Setup is around the perimeter of the Central Green, with 6 feet of space behind each vendor.
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Protective Mats: All hot food vendors must use thick, solid mats (without holes) covering their entire 10x10 area to protect the pavement.
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Health Permits: Display your health food permit on the right pole of your tent during market hours.
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Fire Extinguisher: It must be visible at all times and accessible for inspection by the Fire Marshal.
POWER - Vendors requiring ELECTRICAL POWER can plug into the power outlets at the park, power generators are not allowed. Be sure to bring at least a 100 foot extension cord.
PARKING FOR CENTRAL GREEN VENDORS
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S. FAIR STREET is reserved for our Central Green Vendors to park for FREE
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DISPLAY PARKING PASS - to park on S. Fair Street to prevent from getting towed.
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OBTAIN PERMIT - Get permit from Dan.
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RIGHT SIDE PAKING ONLY on S. Fair Street (near the building).
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NO LEFT SIDE PARKERS on S. Fair St. They will be towed.
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FILLED SPOTS - If all spots are filled, you must park in the parking garage or other street parking.
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JUST ONE VEHICLE - If you require more than one vehicle at the market (for hired help, etc), please use only ONE of the spaces on S. Fair Street and have the others park in the garage or use on-street parking. Be fair to other vendors and only use one space.
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DON'T FORGET YOUR PASS - Don't forget your pass on Saturday. We do not carry extra passes with us. If you need one (because you missed my last email about this), please let me know and I will send you one. You will be towed off of S. Fair Street without one.
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SETUP - We are setting up our Central Green vendors around the perimeter of this area (all facing in), and with about 6 feet behind each of them. Do not setup wherever you would like, always check the layout "weekly" to see where we have you placed.
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PROTECTIVE MATS - ALL Hot food vendors are required to have thick solid mats, (not the ones with holes) covering their entire 10x10 floor space to protect the pavement. Hot vendors cannot setup without these.
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HEALTH FOOD PERMITS - Must be displayed in the right pole of your tent during the entire duration of the market. (see Health Dept. info below)
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FIRE EXTINGUISHER - must in in plain site at all times (not in your car, packed away in a box, etc). Must be visable for the Fire Marshal to see.
S. ELM STREET VENDORS
S. ELM STREET (long street where the main market is setup) is where the majority of EatLoco vendors setup every Saturday. Mostly farmers, food producers, crafters, etc.
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PULLING INTO THE MARKET : All S. Elm Street Vendors must pull in from 14th Street (one way onto S. Elm Street). Then pull up closely to the curb before unloading your things. Unload, go park, THEN come back to setup. Due to the size of the market, we must get everyone's vehicle out of there as quickly as possible
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S. FAIR STREET is reserved for Central Green Vendors only. Please do not park there. You will be towed.
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PARKING - All S. Elm Street Vendors must park in the parking garage (drive to stop sign at end of market, R onto 13th, immediate right into Amazon Parking parking garage).
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POWER - Vendors requiring ELECTRICAL POWER can plug into the power outlets at the park. Power generators are not allowed. Be sure to bring at least a 100 foot extension cord.
To learn more about who we are and our mission, check out our About Us page
VDACS AND ARLINGTON VA HEALTH DEPT INFO
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER SERVICES (VDACS)
Vendors who sell only whole, uncut fruit and vegetables AND/OR those who offer primarily packaged food products or samples (e.g., prepackaged fruit pies, prepackaged roasted nuts, prepackaged meats) must have been licensed under the VDACS certification. CLICK FOR THE VDACS WEBSITE
VIRGINIA HEALTH DEPARTMENT - TEMP FOOD PERMIT
For Vendors preparing food or beverage at the market for immediate consumption, must apply for a TEMPORARY FOOD SERVICE PERMIT to participate at the market.
Applications must be submitted at least 10 days
BEFORE Participating in a farmers market.
CONTACT INFO
Arlington Department of Human Services
Public Health Division/Environmental Health Program
Contact: Kendra Washington
2110 Washington Boulevard, Suite 350
Arlington, VA 22204
Phone: 703-228-7400
Fax: 703-228-7401
Alt Phone: (571) 438-4462
Email: ehtfe@arlingtonva.us
Website: www.arlingtonva.us