Shop for produce, buy lunch, enjoy locally-sourced products and check out some of your favorite neighborhood chefs at three farmers’ markets in DowntownDC this spring.
FRESHFARM Markets, which runs 11 farmers’ markets in the Washington, D.C. Metro-area, produces two markets in DowntownDC that will be open every Thursday rain or shine beginning this spring.
One market is located near the White House at 810 Vermont Avenue NW between H and I streets. The second market is located in Penn Quarter at 8th Street NW between D and E streets. The Penn Quarter market opens soon on April 3 and will reappear every Thursday from 3 to 7pm through Dec. 18. The White House market opens April 10 and will be open every Thursday from 11 to 2:30pm through Oct. 30. Both are sponsored by the DowntownDC BID.
You will also have the opportunity to meet and see some of your favorite chefs in action at the markets this year. It has already been announced that Chef Rodolfo Guzman of Jaleo DC will be leading a demonstration at Penn Quarter’s market on opening day at 4 p.m. and Chef Jeremy Shelton of BLT Steak will be leading a demonstration at the White House market opening at 12 p.m.
This year, Penn Quarter’s market will also be home to a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group, which allows individuals to purchase “shares” of local farms, and in return, they get several varieties of available produce each week. FRESHFARM CSA’s will be provided by a collection of farmers and will run for two 12-week sessions, one beginning in late spring and the other in summer. Shares for two people are $25 per week, shares for 3-4 people are $35 per week and EBT/Food Stamps can be used toward the purchase of a share.
Individuals can double their EBT/Food Stamp, WIC and Senior Farms Market Nutrition Coupons at the White House and Penn Quarter markets and receive “Double Dollar” coupons. EBT/Food Stamps can be redeemed at the information table.
FRESHFARM Markets, a non-profit that works to support local farmers and increase sustainability, this year will be bringing back many of the popular local farmers and vendors the community has grown to love. Additionally, FRESHFARM has added several newbies, including: Number One Sons pickles, kimchi and sauerkraut, Full Cellar Ram Many Rocks Farms meat products, Coulter Farms Amish farmer, North Cove Mushrooms, Rappahannock Oyster Company, Cured DC, and Route 33 Baking Company.
A third market will also be reopening in the BID this spring. The Capital Harvest on the Plaza (CHOP) farmers’ market will be returning to the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) Woodrow Wilson Plaza on Fridays from 11a.m. to 3p.m. beginning May 9.
Look for the DowntownDC BID at the CHOP market and come say hello!