Local Market Offers Seasonal Delight

Every farmers market has its own personality.
I like the one at 14th and U Streets NW for its urban feel, its accessibility and its diversity.
The vendors at 14th and U offer products that make this market especially quaint and unique. Since this is a producer-only market, the vendors themselves grow, raise or create what they have for sale. They are all local too, coming from the Chesapeake Watershed region, according to market director Robin Shuster.
That means you can expect plenty of delicious and fresh vegetables and breads, meats and fruits.
What’s more, the farmers and producers at U & 14 Street Farmer’s Market accept all forms of federal nutrition assistance benefits, including SNAP (food stamps,) WIC and WIC Cash Value (for mothers and their young children); Senior “Get Fresh” Checks and Produce Plus vouchers (for low-income elders) and vouchers from the innovative FVRx program.
FVRx, now in its second year, is a fruit and vegetable prescription program developed and supported by the national nonprofit Wholesome Wave to track the impact of increased fresh fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income, obese patients. Currently, 25 local families are taking part to see whether by eating fruits and vegetables, participating in exercise and cooking classes, they can reduce the risk factors for obesity, high cholesterol and other health-related problems.
Now let me tell you about some of the vendors at 14th and U and some of the bounty they offer:
Pennsylvania’s Mccleaf’s Orchard brings a variety of fruits: apples, peaches, plums, apricots, blue berries, cherries as well as a range of seasonal vegetables. Some of their specialty items includes, apple butter, apple sauce, apple cider and unsweetened apple juice.
Mountain View Farms, a USDA certified organic farm in Virginia, sells beets, snap beans, carrots, kale, onions, peppers, strawberries, chard and a variety of other vegetables and fruits.
From the micro-climate of Virginia’s Northern Neck, Garner Produce brings garden salads, zucchini, squash blooms, turnips, herbs, springtime flowers, hot pepper preserves and bloody Mary mix.
Pecan Meadow Farm offers organically-fed beef, sausages, lamb and goat, duck, and rabbit. The farm stall at the market also sells duck eggs, brown chicken eggs and goose eggs and these particular eggs make excellent omelets. Pecan Meadow, which is located in Pennsylvania, also grows corn, Indian pop corn and makes cornmeal.
Truck Patch from Maryland sells produce and meats including pork. The farm is known for its asparagus and salads and raises its own pigs.
Kuhn Orchard from Pennsylvania even offers apples in June. According to farmer Mary Margate they pick them at maturity and store them in a controlled atmosphere which helps in keeping the apples crisp for a longer periods of time. They have also have absolutely gracious rhubarb and make their own honey and jams.
Then there are baked goods by local bakeries. One called Wisked offers pies made from scratch. Among their famous cookies to check out are salty oak and milk chocolate nutella. The sweets are wonderful and they donate their leftovers over to local hospice house.
Another bakery, PANoRAMA, creates a variety of French styles breads whole wheat and white, rye, pumpernickel and they also make French style pastries.
Cherry Glen Farm from Maryland specializes in southern French style goat cheese. They offer ricotta and an award-winning brie-like cheese. They even offer free samples of these cheeses, made from milk from their own goats.
I must also mention a vendor known as Number 1 Son who specializes in pickled sauerkraut, pickles, salsa and kimchi. Number 1 Son is definitely a must-taste if you’re a pickle connoisseur.