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.

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.