The Market Is Back!

By Elizabeth Ferrante and Nick Stavely

The Glover Park-Burleith farmers market opened with a bang last Saturday! Despite the cloudy skies, the market was home to happy crowds of shoppers enjoying the soft tunes of the Market Band as they fulfilled their veggie needs! The market will be open from 9 am to 1 pm every Saturday until November 18 with a rotating line up of exciting pop-up vendors, artists, musicians, and activities to accompany a core group of vendors offering delicious fresh fruits, veggies, meats, baked goodies, and other lovely treats!

This Saturday, May 20, stop by the manager’s tent to meet the new market manager, Lizzie Ferrante! While you’re at the tent, this is a great time to purchase credit card tokens as a change-of-currency in denominations of $1, $5, and $10 for use with the vendors who don’t take credit cards. These tokens can be used at any Community Foodworks market.

Last week, at the market's season kickoff, the Market Band brought its upbeat folksy sound to accompany customers as they perused the market. Keep an eye out over the next few months for some lovely pop-up vendors including Motisola and their incredible vegetarian chili, Shrub’s unique cocktail vinegars, and Layla’s Lebanese for delicious Lebanese cuisine! Make sure you get to know our core vendors, with us every week serving fresh and locally sourced produce, fruits, meats, baked goods, and other tasty treats!

This season we have some new permanent vendors including Cold Country Salmon, Dimitri Olive Oils, Paella-to-go, and Southern Cross Bakery. Community Foodworks has teamed up with the DC Department of Parks and Rec (DPR) to offer a free compost drop-off facility at our Glover Park-Burleith location as well as our markets in Columbia Heights, Brookland, and Parkside-Kenilworth. Visit the DPR website to find out what can and can’t be composted!

Founded in 2015, Community Foodworks (CFW) manages farmer’s markets in, Brentwood, Brookland, Columbia Heights, Shaw, Ward 7, and Arlington Courthouse. We’re dedicated to creating market opportunities for local farmers and food producers in the Mid-Atlantic region while increasing access to good, nutritious, local food. As a registered 501(c)3 non-profit, we strive to build diverse spaces, where all different races, ages, income-levels, and backgrounds are equally represented and excited about nutritious food. We’ve forged partnerships with local schools, health clinics, WIC centers, and community groups, and we also offer financial assistance programs for families and individuals shopping with federal food benefits. You can read our first annual report here!

Want to get more involved with the market?

• If you’re a musician, sign up to play at the market! Email us at: gpb@cfwdc.org.
• Are you a small food producer, artist, or craftsman? Pop up at the market to learn more about selling in the community! Email us at: gpb@cfwdc.org.
• Interested in volunteering? Sign up here.