by contributor Wendy Gordon
Fresh on the heels of America’s Birthday comes yet another and more home grown reason to blow out the candles.
FRESHFARM Markets, which feature the best of the farm and local food artisans in 11 spots virtually all over the DC Metro area on given days of the week, celebrated its birthday all week beginning July 10, but the big blow out took place Sunday at its original Dupont Circle location at Mass and P.
Crowds of FRESHFARM fans and aficionados braved the rather sultry evening to spend some time enjoying live music curated by Sweetgreen including John and Paul Thornley Brothers of U.S. Royalty and Modern Man, food and drink from market producers and supporters from popcorn and tea to paella and crab, all in a carnival-like outdoor atmosphere complete with face painting and balloon sculpture for the kids.
Let’s face it, we love a good party, especially when there’s cake. And, aptly on the heels of Bastille Day, there was cake. Let ‘em eat it, we say.
FRESHFARM Markets, a non-profit organization, is the largest network of farmers markets in the Chesapeake region, operating 11 vibrant producer-only farmers markets in DC, MD and VA.
Since its inception in 1997 with 15 founding farmers, the markets have now grown to represent more than 150 farmers from 5 states, more than 9,000 acres of land being actively farmed, and more than 360,000 demographically diverse shoppers annually, making FRESHFARM Markets the leading voice for farmers markets in our area and a national leader in the local food movement.
Over a million have been served while developing a new awareness of local products and their sources. For the farmers, the Markets have inspired a new generation and become yet another revenue stream in times of economic stress.
It’s not just about the actual product. Programs include SNAP/EBT and Matching Dollars which help make the Market’s products available to a wider range of incomes, allowing those in need access to healthy, fresh food.
Their farmers also accept WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program and Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Coupons (Senior FMNP) benefits at our markets in DC and Maryland.
FoodPrints Food Lab teaches kids utilizing an edible garden and a classroom project-based curriculum to teach everything from science to language arts. Last year, they raised $60,000 to create a Food Lab which is used for classroom instruction.
Yes, Michelle Obama, they were listening. There are scholarships and donation programs as well, which support local organizations like DC Central Kitchen and Miriam’s Kitchen.
It’s not just the farmers. Visiting locally and nationally known chefs, culinary writers and food personalities like Todd Gray, Nora Pouillon, Tony Bourdain, Jacques Pepin, Jose Andres and more can also be found not only shopping, but demoing techniques, offering food tastings and shilling their latest culinary reads.
So Happy Birthday to you, FRESHFARM MARKETS. We’ve always thought you had nothing but taste. Being fresh has never been more of a compliment.
For more information on FRESHFARM Markets and programs, and to sign up for their newsletter, log into http://freshfarmmarkets.org/
