As sunny weather descends (or perhaps that should be in the past tense, now that we look out the window) on the Washington area, DCist’s thoughts turn to the plethora of outdoor activities that will soon be made not only possible, but enjoyable, by the temperate days. If you’re like us, you look forward to spring because it means the annual renaissance of local farmers’ markets. If you call yourself a Washingtonian, you’re already familiar with Eastern Market, that mother of all markets in the District. It is, admittedly, a tough act to follow, but the District offers some lesser-known gems that market-o-philes will want to check out. Read on for a free sample.

For veteran market-goers and newbies alike, the Dupont Circle farmers’ market has been a favorite since it opened in 1997. The venerable market has been named one of the top farmers’ markets in the country by the Wall Street Journal, and with good reason. The market features the goods of more than 30 farmers during the peak season, including a pretty comprehensive array of foodstuffs like fruits and vegetables, meets, cheeses, baked goods, and fresh pasta. For non-edible offerings, check out the market’s offering of flowers, plants, soap and herbal products from local producers like Mount Harmony in Leesburg, Virginia. The market is open year-round on Sundays, and starting on April 1, it will open at 9 a.m. (instead of the usual 10 a.m.), closing at 1 p.m. The market is located at the 1500 block of 20th Street NW, between Massachusetts Ave. and Q Street, in the adjacent parking lot of PNC Bank.

Need a mid-week market fix? Look no further than Foggy Bottom, whose Wednesday farmers’ market offers a bevy of free samples to hungry GWU students and commuters stopping by for an after-work snack before Metro-ing home. In addition to fruits and vegetables, the Foggy Bottom market offers fantastic dairy products—try the feta from Keswick Creamery—as well as organic and grass-fed meats, bread, pastries, preserves, herbs, flowers, and plants. The relatively new market (it was established in 2005) is open on Wednesdays, from 2:30 to 7 p.m., starting April 4. The Foggy Bottom market is on I Street between New Hampshire and 24th Street NW.


Photo by Flickr user easement

Filed Under: As, dcist, district, dupont circle, eastern market, farmers market, flickr, foggy bottom, hstreet, I Street, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Ave, metro, new hampshire, onsaturday, parking, photos, pnc bank, Q Street, Street NW, virginia, Wall Street, wall street journal, washington, Wednesday, wholefoods,