Lori O'Rea's small Middleburg, Virginia farm and passion for organic food is not unlike many other sellers at farmers' markets around D.C. What makes O'Rea unique is that she doesn't sit at one. more ›

Sesame Street and Sam Kass say we should eat our colors, but dark, leafy greens are an often neglected and misunderstood "anytime food". Kale can be tough and bitter and collards are reduced to gray-green slime if overcooked. Swiss chard, now overflowing at the farmers' market and on seasonal menus, is a good alternative because it's flavor is milder and it cooks quickly (think sauteed spinach). Most importantly, chard can be downright delicious when prepared well. more ›

Donné Malloy is fanatical about fresh food. She ran the H Street Farmers Market for six years when she was a manager at Fresh Farm Markets, but a couple of years ago she decided she was ready to venture out on her own. The NoMa Farmers Market, running from June through late October, is the first market Malloy is running under her new brand. more ›

The D.C. Grey Farmers Market recently announced Local 16 (1602 U Street NW) as the location for its second event, which will be held tomorrow, May 21 from noon to 4 p.m. more ›

We've asked chefs how they like to cook certain seasonal ingredients -- peaches and tomatoes. This week, we decided to go to the source of those ingredients: farmers. We visited the White House FRESHFARM Market to ask farmers and their managers how they like to cook some of their favorite seasonal ingredients. more ›

I'll admit it: despite an overwhelming desire to dabble in locavorism, I often find myself overwhelmed at the farmers market, a consequence of spending a life looking for ways to get in and out of the supermarket in the shortest amount of time possible. Which market's the best? What's in season? How do I pick this stuff, and what in the name of all things holy am I supposed to cook with it? more ›

Saturday marks the first day of May, and a number of farmers' markets are starting back up for the season. Look for ramps and asparagus; get to 14th and U early for strawberries. more ›

One of the things that we're trying to do now is to figure out, can we get a little farmers' market -- outside of the White House -- I'm not going to have all of you all just tromping around inside -- (laughter) -- but right outside the White House -- (laughter) -- so that -- so that we can -- and -- and -- and that is a win-win situation. more ›

A new poll by American Farmland Trust puts three D.C. area farmers markets among the top markets in the entire country (hat tip, WTOP). They may be considered some of the smaller markets in the United States, but they're big in our hearts (and stomachs). Smart Markets at Mason in Fairfax, the Crossroads Farmers Market in Takoma Park, and the Bloomingdale Farmers Market in D.C. all made the top 20 list of smaller markets, coming in at 3, 4 and 7, respectively. The rankings break the markets into small, medium and large. more ›

Locavore's Delight more ›

Although we're just reaching the peak of spring, D.C.’s local markets are packed with the fruits (and vegetables) of early summer abundance. We're lucky to live in a city that boasts an amazing number of markets specializing in local and fresh foods. From the Maine Avenue fish market to Eastern Market to the many farmers markets across the area, it’s easy to find fresh, local offerings that include fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and seafood. Many of the city’s markets are open year round and the Washington Post has a helpful guide that lets readers search for markets by location and day of the week. A recent trip to several area markets provided a glimpse of just some of the fantastic foods that May in the Mid-Atlantic has to offer. more ›

Soft shell crabs have been in season for a few weeks now, and they're on menus all over town. And our interview with Eric Ziebold has definitely inspired a craving for these little delights. Nothing quite like the crunch of a deep-fried soft shell with the creamy flavor of its tomalley. The best part is the ease in getting to their crabby goodness, without all the work of mallets and picks to get through hard shell and cartilage. Yes, Virginia, you do eat the whole thing. more ›

Sometimes you get some really strange press releases. In particular, DC Voices for Meal Choices will be staging a sit-in on April 7, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 425 13th St. NW. The subject line reads, "Shocking 'EAT-IN' supporting menu labeling in DC." Plus, there will be "PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES!" The purpose of the sit-in is in support of the DC MEAL Act, which would require any chain restaurant with more than 10 locations nationwide to list nutritional information on their menus. According to DC Voices for Meal Choices, 50% of DC citizens are overweight or obese, one of the highest obesity rates in the country. Furthermore, $2 billion a year are spent in District restaurants. Regardless of whether that includes meals eaten by tourists and those outside the area or what kinds of establishments are most frequented, the obesity rate speaks for itself. (And does anyone find calling it an "Eat-In" a little ironic since you're trying to reduce obesity? Shouldn't it be a "Fast-In"?) more ›

We've already covered some of the great Halloween photos today, and, wouldn't you know it, there are all kinds of other interesting things going on in October besides creepy costume parties. There's the fall harvest at our local farmers markets, some fun times at our arts festivals before it gets too cold to play outside, and, well, whatever the hell is going on here. Of course, there was also the Marine Corps Marathon yesterday... more ›

Alien Veggies Though you can't tell by the weather, we're on the winter side of autumn, and the farmers' markets are showing the full bounty of autumnal harvests—and I'm not just talking about apples and pumpkins. You'll be seeing some weird stuff if you wander around your local farmers markets. Stuff like long neck pumpkins; bright lights chard, and kohlrabi will be laid out in a rainbow of vegetables (if you're early and the stands... more ›

FRIDAY: >> Here at DCist we like to pimp scrappy locals and industrious indies who are charging hard against the establishment. When it comes to stand-up comedy however, sometimes we have to make an exception. This isn't to say you shouldn't support up-and-coming local comedic talent. You should. But we'd be the first to admit that there's something particularly distasteful about amateur stand-up done badly -- when a comic punts on stage, you just have... more ›

For those with a keen eye, you might be able to figure out that the farmer's market pictured here is not D.C. ... it's Palmdale, Calif. more ›

- Expect to see many more of the large Metrobus maps you might have spotted around downtown more ›