Agriculture does not come to a halt when winter blows into the Washington region. At the growing number of year-round farmers markets in the area (there are 11, compared with more than 90 that operate in summer) stacks of warm-weather produce give way to winter root vegetables and greens, apples, mushrooms, greenhouse tomatoes, diary products, baked goods, fresh meats and prepared foods and body products. Some farmers have adapted, focusing on hydroponically grown lettuce and greenhouse tomatoes, eggplant, greens and more. Area orchardists keep their apples firm and crisp for months after harvest in controlled-atmosphere storage. They still press sweet cider, months after harvest. Many farmers experience some of their best days of the year in December as customers shop for the holidays.
Farmers say the year-round visibility keeps the momentum going. “For markets that stop, it’s always a slow start in the spring,” says Twin Springs Fruit Farm co-owner Aubrey King. “People forget you exist.” They get into habits of shopping elsewhere again. In 1990, when the area was home to about only 20 farmers markets, King became one of the first farmers to start selling in the winter. For multi-vendor markets, the trend toward staying open in the winter began about five years ago with Takoma Park and Arlington. The phenomenon parallels the overall growth in direct-to-consumer marketing by farmers. The number of markets nationally is estimated at almost 4,400 an 18 percent increase since 2004, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
With the money made at winter markets, farmers can buy additional greenhouses or a new tractor. More money is circulated where the goods are produced. Sustainable small-scale agriculture becomes closer to reality, or at least feasible in the long run. In 2003, Dupont became the only one of the seven FreshFarm markets to stay open year-round, and it continues to grow. While about 300 people per week attended that first winter market, the number had grown to about 700 per week by the 2005-2006 season, a 58 percent increase over the year before. But that’s still a fraction of the 2,700 people who shop weekly there during summer’s peak. For those who do shop in the winter, “it’s a great time to get to know your farmer, talk about recipes and cooking techniques,” says Ann Yonkers, who co-founded the market with Bernadine Prince.
A list of winter markets:
(Washington, DC)
Dupont Circle FreshFarm Market
Vendors: 24-plus
Products: Pasture-raised meats (lamb, bison, pork, chicken and beef), cheese and yogurt, milk, butter, eggs, seasonal root vegetables, greenhouse greens, hydroponic lettuce, pears, apples and cider, mushrooms, pasta and sauces, baked goods, soups, granola.
Hours: Sundays: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 20th and Q streets NW; 202-362-8889. http://www.freshfarmmarket.org/.
Eastern Market Outdoor Farmers Market
Vendors: 3-5
Products: Cheese and yogurt, root vegetables, greens, apples.
Hours: Saturdays and Sundays: 7 a.m.-4 p.m. 225 Seventh St. SE.; 202-544-0083. http://www.easternmarketdc.com/.
(Virginia)
Alexandria Farmers Market
Vendors: 13
Products: Winter greens, baked goods
Hours: Saturdays: 5-10 a.m. 301 King St. (Market Square); 703-838-4770, 703-838-5006.
Arlington Farmers Market
Vendors: 21
Products: Meat (beef, veal, pork), cheese and yogurt, eggs, milk, honey, baked goods, greenhouse tomatoes and arugula, hydroponic lettuce, mushrooms.
Hours: Saturdays: 9 a.m.-noon. North Courthouse Road and North 14th Street (courthouse parking lot); 703-228-6417. http://www.arlingtonfarmersmarket.com/
Falls Church Farmers Market
Vendors: 18
Products: Grass-fed meat (beef, bison, lamb), crab cakes, mushrooms, tomatoes, salad greens, baked goods, cheese, milk, yogurt, honey, fruit preserves.
Hours: Saturdays: 9 a.m.-noon. 300 Park Ave. (City Hall parking lot); 703-248-5077.
Leesburg Farmers Market
Vendors: 16-18
Products: Meat (beef, lamb and goat), winter vegetables, greenhouse greens, hydroponic lettuce, apples, eggs, cheese, yogurt, breads, baked goods, preserves, fresh salsa, wine.
Hours: Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Virginia Village Shopping Center, Catoctin Circle; 703-777-0426. http://www.loudounfarms.com/.
(Maryland)
Takoma Park Farmers Market
Vendors: 14
Products: Look for three apple vendors and more than a dozen others selling baked goods, cheese, eggs, meats (goat, lamb, beef, pork), pasta, salad greens, winter vegetables.
Hours: Sundays: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Old Town section of Laurel Avenue between Eastern and Carroll Avenues; 301-422-0097.
Great Frederick Farmers Market
Vendors: 3
Products: Meat (pork and beef), cheese, eggs, baked goods, ice cream.
Hours: Saturdays: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. East Patrick Street (fairgrounds); 301-663-5895.
Bethesda United Church of Christ Farmers Market
Vendors: 1
Products: From Twin Springs, lettuce, arugula, tomatoes, eggplant, onions, potatoes, squash (five kinds), apples, cider.
Hours: Saturdays: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fernwood Road and Democracy Boulevard; 717-334-4582.
Bethesda-Chevy Chase YMCA
Vendors: 1
Products: Produce from Twin Springs (see above), plus breads and pastries.
Bethesda-Montgomery Farm Women's Cooperative Market
7155 Wisconsin Avenue - Wed, Fri, Sat (Sunday flea market outdoors) 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. indoors and outdoor flea market open until 5:00 p.m.
http://www.farmwomensmarket.com/index.htm
*note: not everything is sold by farmers.
Products: Produce, flowers, crafts, breads, cheese, pastries, chocolates, prepared foods.
