Photo of Eastern Market by woodleywonderworks

Written by DCist contributor Kat Lucero

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. The market’s website currently lists 25 participating vendors — some of which are repeats from the first event. That’s double the amount of participants from their first event in January at Kushi Izakaya & Sushi.

Concoctions sold will include alcohol-infused cupcakes, banana Nutella bread, gumbo, nut brittles, lacto-fermented kiwi chutney pickles and pulled pork sandwiches. To be part of the experience, you’ll need to pay a sliding scale $2-5 entrance fee. The website also suggests to sign-up online to be part of the club to “avoid long lines.”

Contrary to its name, the Grey Market is a legal event, but the grey or “underground” aspect is that some of the food vendors are unlicensed and uncertified. This means that their kitchens have not undergone the typical health inspections that restaurants and other vendors undergo. So, yes, there is an assumed, but minor risk to eating some of the products. (Most home kitchens actually tend to be cleaner than those in restaurants.)

The folks behind the market describe the organization as a “small business incubator,” introducing local start-ups to the hungry and curious masses of D.C. Proceeds from the ticket sales will even help fund the licensing process for some of the small-biz participants. If you’re planning to attend and are ready to eat, make sure to bring small bills and your own tote or grocery bag.