The much discussed FRESHFARM Market, By the White House kicks off its first day in operation this afternoon. DDOT sent out a reminder that Vermont Ave. NW between H and I Streets will be closed from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. today, but keep in mind that the market itself only runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. – the extra time built in is for setting up and taking down the stands. The market, which is open rain or shine, will continue every Thursday afternoon through October 29. Expect the usual FRESHFARM market fair: meats, cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, breads, flowers, and the like. more ›

On Tuesday we picked up a WTOP report that First Lady Michelle Obama's office was behind an application to close Vermont Ave. between H and I Streets NW one a week for a new White House farmers market. But this morning the Examiner's Bill Myers follows up with word that FLOTUS isn't necessarily the driving force behind this proposal. Instead, it appears that prolific local market purveyors FreshFarm put in the application, and Obama's involvement is a little fuzzier than first thought.

White House staff have been in talks with FreshFarm officials, but the first lady's office declined to answer questions about whether Obama was endorsing the Vermont Avenue market. After WTOP reported that the plan was the first lady's, the White House called the station to deny it.

The First Lady's office has put in a request to close Vermont Avenue between H and I Streets NW between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., every Thursday, for the market. The day of the week and time of the proposed market certainly fits in with what DCist commenters were saying they'd like to see in terms of a White House farmers market, but the proposed location was up until this point unknown. This block of Vermont stretches between the far corners of Lafayette Square and McPherson Square. The WTOP article makes mention of some concern from residents about the potential for further traffic congestion in an already clogged area. We gather the Secret Service would prefer not to set up a weekly market right on Pennsylvania Ave., where the street is already closed to vehicular traffic. more ›