According to the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), there are more than 100 authorized farmers markets in “Little America.” The operations sell everything from fresh produce to an assortment of dairy products and baked goods. Community is the heart of all the markets, and the following three operations make sure to keep theirs at the center of all they do.
Central Farm Markets
Photo Courtesy Central Farm Markets
Central Farm Markets was founded in 2008 by Debra Moser and Mitch Berliner with a mission to provide a professionally managed community venue. The goal is to create an environment for customers “to purchase high-quality, locally grown fresh and prepared food and support agricultural innovation, green practices, and sustainability.”
To carry this mission out, Central Farm Markets manages three individual marketplaces in Maryland and D.C. All vendors must have at least one year of experience in food retail or selling at another farm market. The organization’s first operation was the Bethesda Central Farm Market (BCFM), starting with just 17 vendors.
BCFM now hosts more than 100 merchants year-round, open Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., January and February, and from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., March to December.
Central Farm Market’s second marketplace, The Pike Central Farm Market (PCFM), opened in 2011. It operates in North Bethesda on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from April 27 to Dec. 21, 2024, rain or shine, hosting more than 30 vendors.
The Half Street Central Farm Market (HSCFM), located in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood in D.C., opened on May 7, 2022 — the newest operation from Central Farm Markets. HSCFM is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., May 4 to Dec. 21, 2024.
Giving back to each individual community is essential to each market. The marketplaces support them with activities, events, and programming, helping to educate and fight hunger. Customers can stay abreast of the happenings of all the marketplaces at the Central Farm Markets website.
Frederick City Market
Photo Courtesy Frederick City Market
The Frederick City Market is a food and artisan operation located in the historic district of downtown Frederick, Maryland (between 3rd and 4th Streets). The market occurs on Sundays from May through November from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
All products — fruits, vegetables, plants, herbs, flowers, baked goods, prepared beverages, jellies, jams, honey, prepared foods, and handicrafts — sold must be grown, produced, or made in Maryland.
Customers will find a range of merchants at the Frederick City Market. Koofie’s Natural Living allows community members to preorder choices of meat to be picked up at the market. Maple & Rye Bakery also enables community members to preorder its baked goods. Boochy Call Kombucha provides unique flavors of its healthy fermented drink.
Visitors often hear tunes from local musicians while perusing the vendors for a sweet treat or vegetables for their evening dinner. And don’t worry — your “fur baby” is welcome at the market! Be sure to check the market’s website for a list of all participating vendors.
Olney Farmers and Artists Market
Photo Courtesy Olney Farmers and Artists Market
The mission of the Olney Farmers and Artists Market (OFAM) is to “provide the community with fresh, locally grown produce and a gathering place to spend quality time with friends and family.” The Friends of the Olney Farmers Market, a 501(c)(3) organization, manages the operation through executive, steering, and advisory committees organizational structure.
The market, nestled in Montgomery County’s unincorporated Olney (2801 Olney Sandy Spring Road), is open year-round on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
However, OFAM’s holiday market, which kicked off on Dec. 1, began a little later, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Customers could find an array of crafts, from candles to jewelry, for that special gift for the special someone.
In August, OFAM was where the MDA kicked off the National Farmers Market Week (Aug. 4–10).
“The Olney Farmers’ Market is an important driver of the community, giving residents of Montgomery County — and beyond — direct access to fresh Maryland produce, meat, and locally made goods,” Kevin Atticks, MDA secretary, said in a statement.
According to a press release from the MDA, OFAM has seven farmers participating in the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). FMNP is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition grant program administered by the MDA. It provides an annual benefit to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participants and low-income older adults to purchase fresh produce and honey (for seniors only) directly from farmers at Maryland farmers markets.
Take a look at the market’s website for a list of all participating vendors. Interested community members can also find information on donating and volunteering — donations assist the market with set-up, tear-down, and overall operations.
