With nightclubs, bars, and restaurants closed in Maryland and D.C., this weekend is unlikely to be anything like the last. But one staple of weekend life in the District will largely carry on despite the pandemic.
Many farmers markets are providing relief for grocery stores and supermarkets wiped clean by D.C. residents preparing to stay home indefinitely.
“As long as grocery stores are open, we’ll be open,” said Molly Scalise, communications and outreach director at FRESHFARM, which operates markets in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, including the popular year-round Dupont Circle farmers’ market. The nonprofit and its vendors are abiding by the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and local governments.
Scalise said they’ve been working closely with D.C., which exempts grocery stores, shopping malls, and other retail establishments from its ban on mass gatherings. The Maryland Department of Agriculture also considers farmers markets an essential business and is asking them to remain open during its state of emergency.
“Farmers markets play a critical role in providing fresh, nutritious and locally-produced food products to customers across the state,” said Secretary Joe Bartenfelder in a release. “It is important that we keep that supply line open while making sure we implement the same preventative measures used in grocery stores.”
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued a public health emergency restricting restaurants, fitness centers, and theaters to 10 patrons or less, though it is not clear if farmers’ markets are included or exempt (meanwhile, without a state order to close, some restaurants in Northern Virginia are still open). Arlington County does not have the authority close farmers markets, but is asking organizers to “take responsible action and suspend their operations this weekend.”
Nationwide, the CDC has recommended against gatherings of ten or more people.
Organizers and vendors are getting creative with measures including pre-bagged produce, contactless payment transactions, online pre-orders, and delivery options.
“[FRESHFARM is] compiling resources for our farmers and producers to help them get through this time. They’re all small businesses and a lot of small businesses are struggling,” said Scalise.
If you’re planning to visit one of these farmer’s markets, remember to follow CDC guidelines and remain respectful of both the vendors and others around you.
Here’s the operating status of farmers’ markets, including any modifications this weekend:
D.C.
Status: Open, with modifications
Location:1500 20th Street NW
Hours: Sundays from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. year-round
FRESHFARM, adding hand washing stations and hand sanitizer throughout their markets. All music, entertainment, community and sponsor tables are postponed and there will be no access to picnic seating. Managers will be wiping down commonly used surfaces, including Electronic Benefits Transfer redemption devices.
Status: Open, with modifications
Location:14th St and Park Road NW; Civic Plaza
Hours: Saturdays at 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. from February through mid-April and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. from mid-April until mid-December
FRESHFARM is adding hand washing stations and hand sanitizer throughout their markets All music, entertainment, community and sponsor tables are postponed and there will be no access to picnic seating. Managers will be wiping down commonly used surfaces, including Electronic Benefits Transfer redemption devices.
Status: Open, with modifications
Location: 716 Monroe St NE
Hours: Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. from March 7 until mid-December
FRESHFARM is adding hand washing stations and hand sanitizer throughout their markets. All music, entertainment, community, and sponsor tables are postponed and there will be no access to picnic seating. Managers will be wiping down commonly used surfaces, including Electronic Benefits Transfer redemption devices.
Status: Open, with modifications
Location: 3210 Mount Pleasant St NW
Hours: Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. from January through March and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. from April through December.
Washes, wipes, gloves and masks will be available as well as pre-wrapped food options. Dogs will not be allowed as the organizer discourages socializing.
Status: Cancelled for March 22
Location: 3400 Georgia Ave NW; Hook Hall
Hours: Sundays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. year-round
The indoor market has suspended operations until further notice. Hook Hall has also suspended their regular operations and is instead distributing care kits and family meals for industry workers.
MD
Status: Open, with modifications
Location: 7600 Arlington Rd, Bethesda; Bethesda Elementary School lot
Hours: Sundays at 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. from March through December; Open Sundays at 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. from January through February
Central Farm Markets, which also operates Nova Central, is suspending social events at the markets and will not be putting out tables or chairs. Sampling will not be allowed and produce will be pre-bagged as much as possible.
Status: Open at an alternate location
Location:1 Veterans Plaza
Hours: Saturdays at 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. from January through March and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. from April until December
FRESHFARM is adding hand washing stations and hand sanitizer throughout their markets. All music, entertainment, community, and sponsor tables are postponed and there will be no access to picnic seating. Managers will be wiping down commonly used surfaces, including Electronic Benefits Transfer redemption devices.
Status: Open at an alternate location with adjusted hours
Location: 201 Ethan Allen Ave; adjacent to the Takoma Park-Silver Spring Food Co-op
Hours: Sundays from 9:00 a.m. until 10 a.m. for seniors only and 10 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for all other visitors
Opening an hour early to accommodate a seniors-only hour, the market is moving half a mile down Carroll Avenue from its usual location. Vendors will be wearing gloves, have pre-bagged options where possible and ask that if you touch it, you buy it. Oh, and no samples here either.
Some vendors, including Number 1 Sons, Atwater’s Food and Smith Meadows, are also offering pre-ordering online, and others are allowing customers to swipe their own credit cards as they discourage cash. Smith Meadows is retrieving products based on customer requests using sticks and photos.
VA
Status: Closed on March 21
Location: N. 14th St + N. Courthouse Rd
Hours: Saturdays at 9 a.m. until noon from January through mid-April and 8 a.m. until noon from mid-April through December
Status: Open, with modifications
Location: 203 East Oxford Avenue, Alexandria; Pat Miller Square
Hours: Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon year-round
Regulars will notice a new layout at the market, as the organizers seek to create as much space as possible between vendors. Pre-orders and deliveries are available from some vendors, including Cold Country Salmon and Honeybrook Farms. A handwashing station will be set up near Stomp Biscuits and the compost bins will be unmanned.
Status: Cancelled for March 21, decision pending for March 28
Location: 300 Park Ave; City Hall parking lot
Hours: Saturdays at 9 a.m. until noon from January through March and 8 a.m. until noon from April through December
The City of Falls Church has not yet made a decision about March 28 and following Saturdays. They are awaiting further guidance from the state on mass gatherings and food sources.
Status: Closed on March 21
Location: 2910 District Avenue; Mosaic District
Hours: Sundays at 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. from January through March and 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. from April through December
Status: Open at an alternate location until Fairfax County Schools reopen
Location: 543 Beulah Road, Vienna; The Church of the Holy Comforter
Hours: Sundays at 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. from January until March and 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. from April through December
After Fairfax County Public Schools denied a request to continue holding the market at the George C. Marshall High School parking lot, Reverend John Strand from the Church of the Holy Comforter is offering up the church’s parking lot.
Central Farm Markets, which also operates Bethesda Central, is suspending social events at the markets and will not be putting out tables or chairs. Sampling will not be allowed and produce will be pre-bagged as much as possible.
Status: Open
Location: 2854 Hunter Mill Road; Unity of Fairfax Church
Hours: Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. year-round
FRESHFARM is adding hand washing stations and hand sanitizer throughout their markets. All music, entertainment, community, and sponsor tables are postponed and there will be no access to picnic seating. Managers will be wiping down commonly used surfaces, including Electronic Benefits Transfer redemption devices.
