Farmers Market Season Sprouts in Takoma Park-Takoma Park Farmer's Market

It’s that time of the year again. The days are getting longer, bees are buzzing, and the flowers are blooming. That also means it’s the season for fresh, local produce at the city’s farmers markets.

On Sunday, April 16, the Takoma Park Farmers Market—located at 6931 Laurel Ave.—kicked off its 40th season with Mayor Talisha Searcy ringing the opening bell.

The market runs on Sundays year-round and has fresh, seasonal produce, breads, meats, cheeses and more, all sourced within 125 miles of Takoma Park. When the market began in 1983, it was the D.C. area’s first Sunday market and had only six vendors along Laurel Avenue.

“It started as a small market that the city of Takoma Park introduced to bring fresh local produce to its residents,” says Laura Barclay of Main Street Takoma. “Now it’s completely farmer-run. There’s 24 full-time vendors and very little vendor turnover. When a space opens up, they look to replace the farmer or producer with something similar. If they lose a meat vendor, they look to add a meat vendor. It’s very curated to make sure everyone’s shopping
needs are met.”

According to a proclamation from Mayor Searcy marking the 40th anniversary, three family farms have continued to be a part of the market since the earliest years: Potomac Vegetable Farms (40 years), Twin Springs Fruit Farm (40 years), and Black Rock Orchard (39 years).

“The Takoma Park Farmers Market is a Takoma Park institution that is a lively, weekly shopping destination for residents and visitors and a favorite meeting place for neighbors,” the mayor’s proclamation reads.

This year, the Takoma Park Farmers Market has a new vendor—Oksana’s Produce Farm—which offers a variety of fermented foods including pickles, kraut, kimchi, pickled onions, and much more.

The Takoma Park Farmers Market is a proud supporter of federal benefits, and vendors accept credits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP); Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT); the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program; Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Assistance (Senior FMNP); and D.C. WIC.

“The market has been a longtime supporter of the programs and offers the ability for EBT, WIC, and SNAP users to use their benefits at the market,” says Barclay. “The market applies for grants and matches a portion of what’s spent.”

The market is currently matching the first $10 spent through nutrition benefit programs.

In addition to accepting nutrition benefits, the market also partners with Shepherd’s Table and Small Things Matter to collect unsold food to serve the unhoused and others in need.

The market also hosts special events, like an upcoming garlic day that will feature cooking demonstrations and its annual pie contest in September that raises over $1,000.

“Last year, we had people lined up down the block to try the pies,” says Barclay. “There was a very strong sense of community pride.”

For more on Takoma Park Farmers Market, visit www.takomaparkmarket.com.

This article was featured in the May 2023 Newsletter. Visit the Takoma Park Newsletter webpage to see the full list of past newsletters.