Savvy Shoppers Support National Farmers Market Week in the DC Region!
/by AJ Dronkers, EdibleDC Associate Publisher & Digital Editor
Did you know that August 2-8 is National Farmers Market Week? We are half way through it and in case you haven't visited one yet, we wanted to give you some quick tips to support your local farmers market!
There are over 200+ farmers markets across our region. Find one near you easily with this handy tool from The Washington Post. Just enter your preferred day and region and the they will quickly filter the results. I entered Wednesday & DC and the map displayed the below graphic and list:
Okay, great now I know where my closest farmer market is but aren't they more expensive? First, if you haven't been in a while you should check out the prices - they are probably better than you expect. Second, you are paying for quality, freshness and hand grown food--not industrial farmed stuff--doesn't your body and taste buds deserve the best, most fresh seasonal produce? Of course!
Also, fresh food lasts longer - ever buy something at the grocery store and the next day it goes bad? Don't be afraid to ask your farmer the best way to store their food to get maximum shelf-life.
Discover exciting new vegetables and fruit varieties that will inspire your home cooking and entice your kids.
Did you know Chipotle Mexican Grill and ShopHouse are sponsoring a bunch of FreshFarm Markets across our region? They are giving out $5 currency tokens redeemable at any of the stands (read: FREE MONEY).
- Wednesday, 8/5 3-7 PM @FreshFarm Foggy Bottom (Chipotle)
- Thursday, 8/6 3-7 PM @FreshFarm Penn Quarter (ShopHouse)
- Saturday, 8/8 9 AM - 1 PM @FreshFarm Silver Spring (Chipotle)
Some area farm markets such as FreshFarm and Arcadia Mobile Market also accept nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP (EBT/Food Stamps) better yet they even offer matching dollars program. If you take your SNAP EBT card and ask for $15 dollars in credits, they will give you an additional $15 dollars through their program for a total of $30 of farm fresh produce.
Some of our favorite area farmers markets:
