TAKOMA PARK FARMER'S MARKET

The Takoma Park Farmers Market is open every Sunday, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market operates from the third Sunday in April to the third Sunday in December. It is located on Laurel Avenue in the Takoma Old Town business district.

The market offers an array of fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, herbs, bedding plants, honey, eggs, cider and other agricultural products. Crafts and non-agricultural products may not be sold.

The Takoma Park Farmers Market is a "producer only" market, meaning everything for sale must have been produced by the seller. Nothing may be purchased from another grower and resold at the market. And all farms represented at the market must be located within a 125-mile radius of Takoma Park. These rules keep the market fresh, local and seasonal; you won't see watermelons in April at the Takoma market, and you won't see bananas - ever.

The market was established in 1983 by the City of Takoma Park. Four of the original vendors continue to sell at the market: Roland's Farm, Potomac Vegetable Farm, Wheatland Vegetable Farm and Twin Springs Fruit Farm. Francis Roland has served as the on-site "market master" since the beginning.

After being managed by the city for more than a decade, the Takoma Park Farmers Market became a self-governing non-profit corporation several years ago and is governed by a seven-member board of directors elected by the membership. The current president of the board is Tony Ricci who operates Green Heron Farm in Three Springs, Pennsylvania. A representative of the citizens of Takoma Park, Lani Sinclair, also attends board meetings and the annual general membership meeting in February. Questions and comments about the Takoma Park Farmers Market may be addressed to Louise Swartzwalder, owner of Takoma Kitchens, which serves as the market's permanent mailing address and local contact. Takoma Kitchens may be reached at 301-422-0097 or by mail at 1812 East-West Highway, Hyattsville, Maryland 20783.

• Takoma Park Market

Author: John Hyde

April 2001