Farmers Markets: Fresh Healthy and Fun

Get psyched for a big summer (and fall) of full-on, unique and flavorful Frederick County Farmers Markets. Find your favorite vibe as you visit 18 markets located in your own backyard.

They all have something different to offer, from a petting zone for the kids, to food trucks and live music. The Frederick County farmers markets are the new “no cover charge, free parking, totally inclusive” community event you won’t want to miss. You can find the list of markets, with dates, times and directions at www.homegrownfrederick.com

From numerous varieties of fresh mushrooms, fresh-frozen pork, sweet, juicy peaches, and leafy kale to handmade candles and soaps, cut flowers and homemade dog treats, you’ll find something unique and tasty at the farmers market scene.

Besides the amazing fresh fruits, vegetables and meats grown right down the road, what are some of the other reasons to support your local farmers’ markets?

Case studies by Civic Economics show that for every dollar spent at a large supermarket chain, only 15 cents stay in the area. Compare that to locally owned farm enterprises that capture 30 to 45 cents, and it’s a huge bonus for local farmers.

Neighboring communities also reap the benefits of farmers markets where the market is located. Money you spend at a farmers market stays in circulation in the local community, preserving and creating jobs. Seventy percent of farmers market customers will also frequent other downtown businesses, more money that stays in the local community.

One of the best ways to champion small producers is with direct-toconsumer products. Frederick County has over 1,300 farms, accounting for almost 20,000 acres of farmland. By cutting out middlemen, farmers receive more food dollars, helping to keep their enterprises economically sound.

As the farmer population ages, the ability for young entrepreneurs to get into farming becomes more of a challenge and requires extra financial creativity. Farm markets are one of the only low-barrier points for new farmers, providing a way to start small and test the market. Many farmers, both new and established, use farm markets to receive customer feedback on new crop varieties and on-farm enterprises.

As far as helping farms stay healthy, there’s good news, according to Katie Stevens, Associate Director of Agriculture Business Development, Frederick County Office of Economic Development. “Farmers markets are a great way to test a new item and get direct feedback from customers.”

A couple strolls through the Frederick City Market held Sundays at 331 N. Market St., through the end of November.

Local and regional food systems, including farmers markets, are critical to the future of the nation’s food system. Farmers markets can pivot quickly, when needed, to implement guidelines and

health operating requirements, ensuring a safe food supply to the public.

During the pandemic, when retail grocers suffered with longer supply chains and being out of stock, farmers markets earned a reputation as a source of safe and healthy food. Farmers markets have the ability to operate with a more flexible business model, allowing them to adapt and protect themselves from drastic economic changes. These changes can ensure the safety and variety consumers are looking for.

Stevens believes that farmers markets did well the last few years. “We saw an increase in demand for local food, predictably in 2020 when there wasn’t much food in the grocery stores,” she says.

In addition, in 2014 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) partnered with the Farmers Market Coalition to provide eligible farmers markets and direct marketing farmers with the equipment necessary to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Over the last five years, more farmers markets are authorized to accept SNAP, and the amount of SNAP dollars spent at farmers markets has almost tripled.

Of the over 8,000 farmers markets in the country, Frederick County is home to 18, each providing a different experience.

Rachel Gagne and Kelsi Sembel, comanagers of Frederick City Farmers Market, are gearing up for a successful season for producers and consumers alike. They have been running the market at 331 N. Market St., since 2012 and have seen a lot of growth over the years.

Gagne is excited about the new season “We’ve seen the customer base change over the years with the increase in building in Frederick,” she says. “A rejuvenation of the Downtown area is bringing in younger people.”

A benefit to shopping at a farmers market is the ability to chat with the people growing and producing the items for sale. They can lend advice from how best to plant flowers, to recipes for unfamiliar vegetables.

The market’s vendor list is filled for the year, with a full range of products. “Vendors such as Twin Bear Bakery, Map & Rye and Sweet Hollow Bakery are big draws on Sunday morning when not a lot of stores are open,” Gagne says.

Business stayed good through the pandemic for the Frederick City Farmers Market, and this year new experiences are on the horizon. “We’ll have live music and entertainment,” says Gagne, “and a food truck.”

You can follow the Frederick City Farmers Market on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

One of the farms providing produce to several Frederick County Farmers Markets is Rich Calimer of Scenic View Orchards in Sabillasville.

Calimer has been a long-time farmers market vendor, working since 1991 on his family-owned farm. Scenic View Orchards is unique in that it is comprised of five families, farming over 250 acres. “We’re all related,” says Calimer. “There’s my sister, nephew, mom, and my cousin and his wife. The family of farmers produces apples, peaches, pears, strawberries, black and red raspberries, blueberries and cut flowers, as well as apple sauce, apple butter and dried apples.

Calimer begins the spring with spinach and asparagus. In mid-May, strawberries, lettuce, kale, and chards begin. Then in late summer, “We roll into peaches and other stone fruit. We have 20 different varieties of peaches alone throughout the season.”

Like many area producers, Calimer and Scenic View Orchards can be found at a few farmers markets during the year. While business is still good, Calimer reflects on customers and how they have changed over the years. “The quantities that customers purchase has gone down, but of course prices have gone up over the years. Our clientele comes back year after year. They are aging along with us.”

At the Thurmont Farmers Market, co-managers Karen Schildt and Vicki Grinder have seen a growth in younger families with children looking for fresh

fruits and vegetables. “We have customers that come from a 60-mile radius, as far away as Taneytown and Eldersburg, looking for fresh fruit and vegetables and anything homegrown.”

The Middletown Farmers Market at 12 S. Church St., is held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays through mid-October.

The market stayed open, as did most, in 2020 and 2021 during COVID. Management implemented precautions— barriers for spacing, hand sanitizers—and had very strong attendance. This year they are still recommending health precautions.

Thurmont market’s experience is similar to what is happening around the country according to a 2016 study by the research firm, Packaged Facts. The report notes that “Over the past two decades, farmers markets have boomed in popularity across the nation, and more and more are now remaining open all year, even in winter.”

As one of the largest farmer markets in Frederick County, the Thurmont market has a host of variety for shoppers. This year, the outdoor market, which runs May through September is hosting live music, an ice cream truck, a snow cone truck, and a petting zone.

“Last year was the first indoor market,” says Schildt, “and our winter pop-up shops, which are held the four Saturdays in December, include an alpaca farm, handmade candles and handmade backpacks.

Specialty retailer, Josh Lewis, owner since 2016 of Mid-Maryland Farm Market, manages three of the local farmers’ markets: Brunswick Main Street, Myersville Farmers Market, and Middletown Farmers Market.

All three have a different flavor, according to Lewis. “Brunswick Main Street has become a destination,” he says. “We look for producers who are established and are doing the best they can do.”

A unique feature of the Brunswick Main Street market is ‘After-Market Music’, free live music one block over from the market in Square Corner Park. The collaboration is designed to keep foot traffic in the downtown area.

Farmers market customers are able to buy fresh fruits and vegetables that likely were harvested earlier that same day.

All the local Frederick County Farmers’ Markets are run by a board of directors and are entirely volunteer driven. For those interested in getting involved with a farm market, Stevens recommends checking out the marketing training offered through the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Stevens works almost daily with producers, helping them navigate the finer points of vending at farmers markets.

Now go out and thank your local farmers and farm market volunteers. The Secretary of Agriculture has proclaimed the first week in August (7-13) as National Farmers Market Week—one of the best ways to get out and support the small producers who help communities champion farmland preservation and our rural heritage.

Before leaving home visit the Frederick County Office of Economic Development website at homegrownfrederick.com for updated info on dates and time.

Brunswick Main Street Farmers Market Potomac Street at 1st Avenue, second and last Fridays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., May 13 through September 30.

Downtown Thursday Market 331 N. Market St., Thursday 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., June 2 through September 29.

Emmitsburg Farmers Market 302 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, Fridays 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., June 24 through October 7. FSK Mall Farmers Market Outside Sears Automotive Center, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 16 through November 19.

Field Fresh Farmers Market The Frederick Fairgrounds, 797 E. Patrick St., Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 30 through November 19.

Frederick City Market 331 N. Market St., Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 8 through November 20.

Frederick Farmers Market 1215 W. Patrick St., Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 30 through November 19.

Jefferson Farmers Market 4603 Lander Road, Jefferson, Wednesdays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., May 18 through September 14.

Middletown Farmers Market 12 S. Church St., Middletown, Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., May 5 through October 13.

Myersville Farmers Market 301 Main St., Myersville, Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, April 23 through October 29.

New Market Farmers Market 93 W. Main St., second and fourth Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., June 11through October 22.

Thurmont Mainstreet Market 21 Frederick Rd., Thurmont, Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, May 14 through September 10.

Urbana Library Market 9020 Amelung St., Frederick, Sundays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 15 through October 30.

Walkersville Community Farmers Market 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville, Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 7 through Sept. 3.

YMCA of Frederick Market 1000 N. Market St., Tuesdays, 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., May 24 through November 1.

Chestnut Hill Farm & Market 240-734-2021 www.chestnuthillfarmmarket.com

Chocolates and Tomatoes 571-271-2686 www.chocolatesandtomatoes.com

Dandelion and Rust 240-385-9023 www.dandelionandrust.com

Frederick Fresh Online www.frederickfreshonline.luluslocal food.com

Full Cellar Farm 301-639-9711 www.fullcellarfarm.com Good Soil Farm LLC 443-536-1830 www.goodsoilfarmllc.com

House in the Woods Farm 301-607-4048 www.houseinthewoods.com

The Little Red Wagon Produce 240-439-9401

Moon Valley Farm 240-207-0241 www.moonvalleyfarm.net

Open Book Farm 240-457-2558 www.openbookfarm.com

Pleasant Hill Produce 301-471-2699 www.pleasanthillproduce.com

Rendezvous Farm 908-528-3923 www.rendezvousfarmmd.co

Serenity Grove Farm facebook.com/serenitygrovefarm

South Mountain Creamery 301-371-8565 www.southmountaincreamery.com

Sycamore Spring Farm 301-788-6980 www.sycamorespringfarm.org

Thanksgiving Farms 301-662-1291 www.thanksgivingfarmandgarden.com

Catoctin Mountain Orchard 301-271-2737 www.catoctinmountainorchard.com Country Pleasures 301-371-4814 www.countrypleasuresfarm.com

Pryor’s Orchard 301-271-2693 www.pryorsorchards.com

Scenic View Orchards 301-271-2149 www.scenicvieworchards.com

Clemsonville Christmas Tree Farm 10120 Clemsonville Road, Union Bridge 410-848-6083 www.clemsonville.com

Dreamland Christmas Tree Farm 2700 Sumantown Road, Middletown 301-418-5348 www.dreamlandchristmastreefarm.com E&E Trees 9420 Dublin Road, Walkersville 301-829-2799 www.eandetreesinc.com

Eberle Christmas Farm 13415 Liberty Road, Union Bridge 301-898-4232 www.eberlechristmasfarm.com

Gaver Farm, LLC 5501 Detrick Road, Mount Airy 301-865-3515 www.gaverfarm.com

Mayne’s Tree Farm 3420 Buckeystown Pike, Buckeystown 301-662-4320 www.maynestreefarm.com