Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Hot Thymes in the City!

It’s Thyme to enjoy our local farmers markets, one of my favorite times of the year. Farmers markets offer a time of the year to taste fresh fruits, veggies, and enjoy other goods made by local farmers and artisans. Most of the farmers markets in the state will be opening by May 1 and many are already open selling early season produce like kale, salad greens, spinach, asparagus, as well as flower baskets and bedding plants. Farmers markets are more than just fruits and veggies, but they offer a wide variety of locally-grown and –produced products including herbs, flowers, plants, eggs, meats and cheeses. Choosing your local farmers market means that you not only enjoy some of the freshest and best tasting products around, but that you also support our local family farms.

I am fortunate to live near one of the 5 farmers markets that are open all year long. I would like to spotlight the Waverly Farmers Market, also known as “32nd Street Farmers Market” this is where I enjoy my “Hot Thyme in the City”. The Waverly Farmer’s Market boasts breads and produce to ethnic foods and plants, and the vendors come from all over the Mid-Atlantic.

Waverly Farmers Market is a non-profit organization offering membership to shoppers, farmers, and community residents. What I like most about the Waverly Farmers Market is that money left over after paying expenses is given back to the community in the form of small community grants. The 32nd Street Farmers Market welcomes applications for small grants from community groups and from organizations in the Greater Baltimore Region that are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Revenue Code. The 32nd Street Farmers Market funds programs that reach residents of communities surrounding the market to strengthen educational opportunities and increase individual access and opportunity. In the past the market has funded local schools, libraries, education programs, and neighborhood initiatives.

Highlights of the 32nd Street Farmers Market

If you enjoy coffee, you will love Zeke’s Coffee, locally fresh roasted coffee. How cool is this.

If you love soap like myself, you will love “You and Me Soaps” featuring handmade bar soaps with all natural ingredients, for all skin types and problems, liquid soaps and shampoos, body and hair butters, sugar and salt scrubs, bath salt blends, massage oil, and a variety of wooden soap dishes.

South Mountain Creamery features glass bottled milk (skim, 2%, whole, chocolate, strawberry; 2% and whole come homogenized or with cream on top), nine flavors of yogurt, five flavors of farmers cheese, brown eggs (regular and free-range), butter, buttermilk, kefir (lowfat yogurt drink), and sweet tea.

I don’t want to give away too much, you should visit, anytime during the year on Saturdays from 7 – 12 noon. Below you will find information on other farmers markets that are open all year in Maryland.

BALTIMORE CITY

32nd Street/Waverly Farmers' Market

E. 32nd Street and Barclay Street
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to Noon
Contact: Marc Rey 410-889-6388 or 410-917-1496
Web:http://www.32ndstreetmarket.org/
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted

FREDERICK COUNTY

The Great Frederick Fair Farmers' Market

Fairgrounds: 797 E. Patrick Street
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Contact: Robert Fogle 301-663-5895
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Montgomery Farm Women's Co-op Market
Bethesda: 7155 Wisconsin Avenue
Wednesday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Contact: Barbara Johnson 301- 652-2291

Takoma Park Farmers' Market
Old Town Takoma Park on Laurel Ave. (between Carroll Ave. & Eastern Ave.)
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Email: tpfarmersmarket@gmail.com
Web: http://www.takomaparkmarket.com/
WIC and Senior FMNP Checks Accepted

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Hagerstown City Farmers Market
25 West Church Street Saturday: 5:00 a.m. to Noon
Contact: Susie Salvagni, 301-739-8577, ext. 183