Update: The January 13 Washington Post included an article on what folks can find at D.C.’s year-round farmers markets, complete with a great guide to many more markets than you see below.
Here in the Chesapeake Bay area, with our tomato-rich summers and squash-happy falls, it can be easy to shop locally. After Thanksgiving, one might expect the pickings to become scarce — but as it turns out, the D.C. metro area has seen a sharp uptick in the number of farmers markets that remain open for the winter season, selling local produce, meats and cheeses even in the cold and snowy months.
When I first wrote about year-round farmers markets in the D.C. area for my food blog, I could only scrounge up four. Various commentators and twitterers helped me identify six more area farmers markets that operate through the winter, bringing the total number to 10.
Unfortunately, many of the markets that accept food assistance vouchers during the summer are not able to do so through the winter — I’ve noted those in the list below (compiled with appreciation to those who provided insider community information).
Year-round farmers markets in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia
Good news: Although several area farmers markets have closed for the season, plenty stay open year-round, although the number of vendors at these markets is usually sharply reduced and the produce selection typically is limited to storage varieties–apples, onions, potatoes, squashes, turnips and so forth. But more farmers are growing hardy greens and salad mixes as well, and you can often find a variety of prepared foods such as cider, jams and breads.
Here is a list of markets in and around D.C. that keep selling through the winter. Most of these feature exclusively local farmers and food artisans who use sustainable practices. But be sure to ask if you are trying to avoid foods grown with artificial fertilizers or pesticides as farmers who use these typically do not identify themselves at farmers markets. And feel free to comment if you know of other year-round farmers markets!
D.C.
All of these markets accept WIC “Get Fresh” Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WIC FMNP) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Coupons (Senior FMNP) from May 1 to November 15.
Dupont Circle Farmer’s Market* – Sundays, 10 am to 1 pm during the winter and 9 am to 1 pm the rest of the year, near the Dupont Circle Metro’s North exit. Read more about this market.
Eastern Market **- Saturday and Sunday, 7 am to 4 pm 7th St. SE near Eastern Market Metro
D.C. Farmers Market**- Tuesday and Thursday, 7:00 am-5:30 pm, Friday and Saturday, 7:00 am-6:30 pm, Sunday, 7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 1309 5th St. NE near the New York Ave./Florida Ave./Gallaudet University Metro.
New Morning Farm Market – Saturdays, 8 am – 1 pm (June through the beginning of winter), 9 am -1 pm (winter time through mid-March) and Tuesdays 4 – 8 pm from late spring through fall (early June through the end of September). The Saturday market is closed from mid-March through June. Sheridan School, 36th St. and Alton Pl., NW. Near the Van Ness/UDC Metro and the V8 and L2 bus routes.
Maryland
Bethesda Central Farm Market*-Sundays 9 am-1 pm through the Sunday before Christmas in the parking lot on Elm Street between Woodmont Ave. and Wisconsin Ave.; Sundays 10 am-1 pm starting January 10. Thursdays 3-7 pm at Bethesda Lane (on Bethesda Row), summer through late fall. Near the Bethesda Metro.
Update: Kensington Farmers Market-Saturdays, 8 am -12 noon at the MARC train station on Howard Avenue.
Silver Spring FreshFarm Market*-Saturdays, 9 am to 1 pm, downtown on Ellsworth Dr., near the Silver Spring Metro. Accepts WIC FMNP and Senior FMNP June 1-October 30. EBT processing available.
Takoma Park Farmer’s Market*- Sundays, 10 am to 2 pm all year, Carroll Ave., near the Takoma Metro. Accepts WIC FMNP and Senior FMNP June 1-October 30.
Virginia
Alexandria Farmer’s Market *- Saturdays, 5:30-10:30 am (some sources say only until 10 am), 301 King St. From Braddock Road Metro, take a 29N, 10B, or DASH 5 bus.
Arlington Farmers Market*-Saturdays, 8 am to noon Arlington County Courthouse Parking Lot, at the intersection of N. Courthouse Rd. and N. 14th St. Near the Courthouse Metro.
Falls Church Farmers Market*-Saturdays, 9 am-noon January through April; 8 am-noon May through December City Hall Parking Lot, 300 Park Ave. From East Falls Church Metro, take bus 28A, 3A, or 2C.
*Producer-only market
**These have a farmers market feel, but sell many nonlocal products. If you’re looking to buy from the farmers or to buy local, ask the vendors if they grew the food or if they bought it wholesale.
Photo: A shopper braves a freezing December rain at the Dupont Circle FreshFarm Market. Photo by the author.
One correction . . . .
The Dupont Circle Farmers market winter hours are 9:00-1:00 Jan/Feb/Mar. The rest of the year the hours are 9:00-1:00. The hours are reversed in the story above.
Also, don’t forget that you can get cut flowers at winter farmer markets too! Lilies, tulips, freesia, and other cool season cut flowers can be grown in cool greenhouses during the winter.
And the Kensington, MD market is open year round too.
Thanks for the correction and addition! The post is updated.