Bethesda's FRESHFARM Market Kicks Off For the Season

The Bethesda FRESHFARM market is gearing up to launch for the season this weekend, and market organizers have been busy preparing for opening day Saturday.

“People always think our busiest time of year is mid-summer when the market is in full swing, but for market managers, the busiest time of year is right now,” said Laura Genello, markets and program manager for FRESHFARM.

The non-profit runs 11 producer-only farmers markets in the region, and the market in Bethesda – along Norfolk Avenue, between Fairmont and St. Elmo Avenues – launched in 2010. Run in conjunction with the the markets take place on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., from May 5 through Oct. 27. Drawing on local farmers and producers, FRESHFARM offers up fresh fruits, vegetables, organic meats and artisan cheeses.

For market organizers, the weeks and months before launch involve finalizing details with participating farmers and producers, planning events and reaching out to the community to get the word out that the market is back for the season.

“Definitely the most fun part about the farmers market is you never know what you’re going to find, and you get to connect with the people at the market,” said FRESHFARM co-founder Bernie Prince.

In Bethesda, live music and special events like wine tasting, cooking demonstrations from local chefs, and gardening presentations are planned for most Saturday markets. And on opening day May 5, market patrons will get the chance to benefit homeless outreach group by purchasing food from vendors for the group, bringing their own grains, pasta or dried beans, or making a cash or check donation.

As a FRESHFARM “gleaning partner,” Bethesda Cares benefits from unsold market items throughout the season. Many of the unsold produce goes towards the lunch programs the group organizes for the community’s needy.

Last year, Bethesda Cares collected nearly 3,300 pounds of fresh produce to benefit their programs. “It definitely adds up,” Genello said.

According to the Bethesda Urban Partnership, some of the featured vendors and their products include:

• Atwater’s, Catonsville, MD – Hand-shaped, hearth-baked, sugar- and fat-free breads and pastries
• Black Oak Cut Flowers, Reisterstown, MD – Cut flowers
• Garden Path Farm, Newberg, PA – Heritage-bred meats and eggs
• Knouse Fruitlands, Arendtsville, PA – Apples, peaches, pears, apricots, cherries, corn and vegetables
• Mock’s Greenhouse, Berkeley Springs, WV – Heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and a variety of greens and herbs
• Pleitez Produce, Montross, VA – Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, asparagus, lettuce, beans, sweet corn, sweet and hot peppers, summer squash, tomatoes, eggplant, okra and melons
• Spiral Path Farm, Loysville, PA – Variety of organic vegetables, fruits and herbs
• Spring Gap Mountain Creamery, Paw Paw, WV – Aged, raw cow’s milk cheeses
• Westmoreland Berry Farm, Oak Grove, PA – Strawberries, black berries, raspberries, blue berries, peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, apples

FRESHFARM is among three downtown Bethesda farmers markets, along with the Bethesda Central Farm Market and the Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market.

Will you visit Bethesda’s FRESHFARM market now that it’s open for the season? Which is your favorite Bethesda farmers market? Tell us in the comments.