Photo by ep_jhu.

Locavore’s Delight

Alice Waters finally got her wish last Friday when Michelle Obama and a gaggle of students from Bancroft Elementary picked up shovels and hoes and set about planting an organic vegetable garden on the White House’s South lawn. Waters and other proponents of sustainable food are understandably ecstatic, and White House chefs Cristeta Comerford, Sam Kass, and Bill Yosses are looking forward to whipping up some tasty meals from the garden’s 55 different varieties of fruits and vegetables and two beehives.

However, if you’re an urban dweller without a yard or green thumb (I myself am a serial killer of of basil plants), you can get your share of local produce at one of the many D.C. farmers markets. With the weather finally turning warmer, most neighborhood markets will be opening in short order. Look for the Foggy Bottom Market opening on April 1, followed by the Penn Quarter Market on April 2. Penn Quarter will be getting a couple new vendors this year, including a lamb farmer. Nothing says spring like delicious baby sheep.

The Georgetown, Del Ray, Silver Spring, and Chevy Chase markets will also be opening in April. And, of course, you can always visit Eastern Market and the Dupont and Takoma Park markets all year round. Adventures in Shaw has compiled a complete list of area farmers markets, including opening dates and hours.