Tag Archives: farmers’ market

Farm Fresh, Ward 6
By

Farm Fresh: New Tuesday Market at Eastern Market

Photo courtesy of ep_jhu
Eastern Market on a Hot Day
courtesy of ep_jhu

So I have to admit, I really do not love the outdoor farmer’s market at Eastern Market on the weekends. I’m not talking about the flea market with all the mirrors, animal hats and necklaces, I’m talking about the food part. Maybe I’m spoiled, but I don’t think repackaged baby carrots or oranges and bananas (clearly not grown in the Mid-Atlantic region) count as a farmer’s market. See, in the picture above, you see strawberries right next to apples. If you’re growing locally, the strawberries would happen for a few glorious short weeks in early spring and the apples arrive much later in fall.

When I go to a market, I want 100% local. And I want fresh, as in, vine to me in less than 24 hours. And sadly, I don’t see a ton of that at Eastern Market normally. But all this might change today with the announcement of the new “Fresh Tuesdays” farmer’s market at Eastern Market. Continue reading →

The Features
By

I just got this eggplant; now what do I do with it?

Photo courtesy of
‘Eggplant (Beatrice)’
courtesy of ‘iLoveButter’

Remember when we talked this spring about what to do when you’ve got more farmer’s market produce than you can use? Good times. Except, all that information is out of season now! It’s a whole new set of intimidating fruits and vegetables to deal with now. Oh noes! Relax, DC: I am here to help.

With all the weather extremes we’ve been having, some produce has been coming in at odd times (stone fruits were really early) and that’s messed up my routine a bit. But now that it’s late summer, it’s getting to be time for eggplant. And I don’t know if you are weak like me, but I have been known to buy stuff I’ve never cooked at the farmer’s market just because it looks so freaking pretty. Yeah, eggplant. And now I get it in my CSA box. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Columbia Heights Farmers Market Opens Tomorrow

Photo courtesy of
‘Dreamy Creamy Chocolate’
courtesy of ‘Hoffmann’

Even the mayor will be on hand to welcome a new farmers market to the city tomorrow. The Columbia Heights Community Marketplace kicks off at 9 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. at 14th and Park, across from Giant, Target, and Tivoli Theater.

At 11 a.m., Mayor Adrian Fenty, Chairman Vincent Gray, and Councilmembers Jim Graham and Kwame Brown will kick off opening ceremonies. Dancers and actors from the Dance Institute and Gala Theatre will perform; live entertainment will take place the first Saturday of each month and include activities like tai chi and cooking demonstrations.

Come every Saturday for fresh veggies and fruit (it’s berry season, you know), meats, breads, cheeses, flowers and beat-the-heat gelato–all grown and raised within 150 miles of DC.

Thrive DC, Miriam’s Kitchen and Christ House, three local homeless services, will be gleaning leftover produce to make meals for the homeless.

Adventures, Essential DC, Food and Drink, Fun & Games, Life in the Capital, The Daily Feed
By

Glover Park-Burleith Farmers Market Debuts Tomorrow

Photo courtesy of
‘_MG_0683’
courtesy of ‘logan.brown’

Even though I won’t be around to witness its opening weekend, I’m super pumped that the Glover Park-Burleith Farmers’ Market debuts this Saturday from 9am-1pm.

This producer-only farmers market features local fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, bread, eggs, plants, cut flowers, handmade soap, pasta, gelato and more. A different bluegrass band will be there every week to provide live music to the dog-friendly market. In 2010, the market hopes to offer additional features, such as bike clinics, live-chef demonstrations and garden/composting workshops.

The market is located in the parking lot of the Hardy Middle School, just across the street from the newly opened Social Safeway.  The market will run every Saturday, rain or shine, until October 30th.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Get On This Bus: Fresh Food for All

Courtesy of Farm to Family

Courtesy of Farm to Family

Here’s a heartwarming video for a snowy day.

Yesterday, the BBC ran a piece on The Farm to Family Bus, a farmers market on wheels that serves neighborhoods in Richmond, often in low-income areas, that don’t have easy access to grocery stores and quality, organic food.

The piece also highlights Josh Viertel, president of Slow Food USA (and there’s a DC chapter), speaking to a group of slow food advocates in DC.

A great idea, that — to bring healthy food to those who may need it most.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Learn to be a Backyard Farmer

Photo courtesy of
‘Double Red Ripe Tomatoes’
courtesy of ‘Wayan Vota’

If you’ve ever had a tomato or zucchini plant gone wild, you might appreciate this.

Soon, an area farmers market may carry produce from folks who farm in their own backyards. The Maryland Organic Backyard Initiative (MOBI) wants to create community farmers markets that lets people who have organic gardens trade with each other.

Tonight and for the next two Thursdays at 7:30 at Crossings in Silver Spring, MOBI will hold classes where organic backyard farmers or wanna-bes can meet and learn how to grow, eat and trade delicious, organic, fresh, locally grown produce.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Another Place to Find that Perfect Gift

Photo courtesy of
‘beeswax candles’
courtesy of ‘sheena carmichael’

Here’s a place you might not have thought of to look for a holiday gift — your local farmers market.

Last weekend, I went to two farmers markets and found lots of fun items, including organic coffee, beeswax candles and tree ornaments, local honey in various flavors, maple syrup, all-natural bath salts and soaks, jewelry, handmade cards, Virginia wine, Amish pastries and preserves and creamy local cheeses.

While you’re there, you can pick up things like homemade wreaths, pumpkin pies, breads and cookies, winter squash, apples, and local dairy products and meats (think turkey) for a holiday feast.

You’ll even escape the crowds. So bundle up and head out!

The Daily Feed
By

Arlington to Gain Another Year ‘Round Farmers Market

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘sarawithoutanh001’

Lovers of farmers markets, rejoice. An additional one, the Columbia Pike market in Arlington, will be staying open year ’round.

As in years past, there will be a holiday market each Sunday until Dec. 20. In addition to apples, winter squash and the like, the market will offer eggnog, holiday baked goods, gift baskets, wreaths/garlands, Christmas trees, standing rib roast, special raviolis, handmade holiday cards, jewelry, and more. I like to pick up some of the homemade chocolate truffles as gifts; they’re always a hit.

Come January, for the first time, several vendors will return to bring us local staples through the winter: J-Wen dairy, Smith Meadows All Natural Meat and Eggs, Hondo Coffee, and Union Street Soapworks. Creekside Produce and other vendors may stay through the cold months, too.

Farm Fresh, The Features
By

Farm Fresh: Evening Star Cafe

PA070115

Here’s another feature where WeLoveDC authors Donna (greenie) and Katie (foodie) have paired up to tell you about local restaurants that take on the challenge of being green. Donna will explain the logic behind the environmentally friendly trends, and Katie will tell you if the food tastes any good. It’s a rough life, but someone has to do it, right?

Katie: Evening Star Cafe is nestled on Mount Vernon Avenue in the heart of Alexandria’s bohemian neighborhood, Del Ray. Lanterns twinkle above. Seated at the window, Donna and I watched neighbors pass by walking dogs, running errands and grabbing frozen custard from Dairy Godmother. Evening Star has this wonderful homey feel, so it’s not hard as hard to imagine the farm-to-table concept in practice there, as it is at a super-polished place like Charlie Palmer Steak. Chef Will Artley jokes around with us like we’ve known him forever, and describes walking through the farmer’s market picking up the food for our meal and it just makes sense. We were happy to accept an invitation to learn all about Evening Star Cafe (and Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s) approach to green dining.

Donna: Evening Star is just one of the eateries in the Neighborhood Restaurant Group (NRG), and co-owner Michael Babin talked to us about the philosophy that guides them all. NRG supports mindful growing, with no pesticides or hormones, as well as humane treatment of animals. The restaurants use biodegradable take-home containers, compost scraps, and soon their used cooking oil will be turned into biodiesel fuel.

Katie: We kicked off our meal with a light melon soup. Chef Artley laughed, telling us how he’s allergic to melons, but got so excited when he spotted these that he forgot and sampled some. It was that kind of meal – perfectly accessible, friendly, and so exciting that you forget things like food allergies. Continue reading →

The Daily Feed
By

To Market, to Market, to Buy…What?

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Hoffmann’

Sure, we know that farmers markets bring in fresh, healthy food and allow us to support local farms. But knowing what to buy when we get there is a different story.

How is a white peach different from a yellow one? (It’s sweeter, and sublime.) And what do you do with a rutabaga anyway? (Darned good question.)

Find more answers at a local foods tasting on Monday at 7 p.m. at Arlington Central Library, where you can sample our area’s produce and learn how to cook it.

The Daily Feed
By

New Farmers’ Market Opens Today in Crystal City

Photo courtesy of
‘_’
courtesy of ‘Roebot’
I always love shopping the farmers’ markets, seeing the colorful veggies and the plump fruits that hours before were sunning in fields, sampling the wares and roaming around while someone plays the guitar. And then there’s biting into those juicy berries and crisp cucumbers. Yum.

This afternoon, a brand new farmers’ market opens at Crystal City. It’ll be held every Tuesday from 3-7 p.m. from now through October, along Crystal Drive between 18th and 20th streets.

Come and take your pick from more than 20 vendors selling fruits and vegetables, cheese, flowers and potted herbs, meats, eggs, baked goods, specialty foods and more. Eat local, eat fresh and eat mmm, mmm good.