Farmers Market Season Sprouts in Takoma Park-Crossroads Farmers Market

Another farmers market also kicked off its newest season last month. The Crossroads Farmers Market—located on Anne St. at University Blvd. East—began its 17th season on Wednesday, April 26. Going through Nov. 22, the Crossroads Farmers Market is a “producers-only farmers market that features a range of vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, honey, coffee, flowers, and plants,” according to its website.

“Most of our vendors are returning and they come in year after year,” says Sara Servin, Senior Farmers Market Program Manager for Crossroads Community Food Network. “It’s smile-inducing to see everyone again after a long winter.”

This year, the market will feature a few new vendors, including Swamp Rose Cooperative, a worker-owned native plant nursery and landscaping company based in Montgomery County. Crossroads also partners with Takoma Park Presbyterian Church’s community kitchen to bring in ButterQueen Bakery, a Black-owned bakery specializing in southern homestyle pound cakes and treats with vegan and gluten-free options; and Cookie Yay, a father-daughter business that provides natural, gourmet, gluten free, vegan, non-GMO, and allergen-friendly cookie options.

Like the Takoma Park Farmers Market, Crossroads accepts federal nutrition benefits.

“We were the first in the U.S. to match SNAP at farmers markets and have been doing it for 17 seasons,” says Servin. “We match up to $60 in SNAP funds, and WIC is $1-to-$1 without a limit. I think that the
WIC sales make up about a third of total market sales, so it’s pretty significant.”

Servin says Crossroads is about much more than just the produce. The goal is to make it a social event for those looking for fresh produce, including hosting concerts and special events like health screenings, cooking demonstrations, and seed giveaways.

“We do a lot of activities that bring in the community and get people coming back week after week,” says Servin.

On May 10, Crossroads is holding special events for Mother’s Day, including plant giveaways, raffles and special discounts for moms. For information on Crossroads Farmers Market, visit crossroadscommunityfoodnetwork.org/farmers-market.

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