Huntington farmers market returns, will have new location

The market will be at the former Metro Transit Police building.

The Smart Markets farmers market is returning to the Huntington area for the second consecutive year.

The market will kickoff on May 5 and be held every Thursday from 3-7 p.m. This year the market will be set up at 5803 North Kings Highway, which is the former Metro Transit Police building right next to the Huntington Metro Station. Last year the market was held across the street at the Huntington Station shopping center.

The market’s manager is hoping the new location capitalizes on the even closer proximity to the metro, with shuttle bus and foot traffic passing directly in front of the booths. The new location also allows Smart Markets to host some new tenants.

“This site offers us more freedom to set up as we wish and to include the vendors we want for this market,” said Jean Janssen, the founder of Smart Markets, which has seven other farmers markets throughout Northern Virginia.

The Huntington market will have 12 vendors, and possibly two food trucks that set up occasionally, Janssen said. Here’s a list of the confirmed vendors:

• Bananatopia
• Barnola Granolas
• Cascade Beverages
• Empanadas de Mendoza
• Hess Farm and Orchards
• Ignacio’s Produce
• Linda Vista Farm
• Pete Lund’s Sustainable Produce
• Orchard Breeze Meats and Dairy
• Real Country Sausage
• Uncle Fred’s BBQ (rotating)
• Whim Pops

While the market is no longer accepting vendors, Janssen said anyone interested in selling is still welcome to fill out an application on the Smart Markets website, in case a space becomes available at Huntington or a different location.