Scavenger Hunts and I Spy games are things we like to play with our kids, not with our local grocery store. If hunting for flour has you feeling frustrated, we found a great new source for pantry goods: your favorite restaurant (and indoor playground!). Local businesses are sharing their resources in an effort to take the guess work out of dinner (and, yes, you can order that pre-made, too). Here are our favorite pantry pick-ups along with other options beyond the grocery store (like farmers markets and CSAs). Read on for ways to support local businesses while getting your baking on—and leave hunting for “flower” for those scavenger walks!

photo: Markus Spiske via Unsplash

Curbside Pantries

Badlands
Support one of the area’s most beloved indoor playgrounds by purchasing your pandemic comforts at this pull-in pantry. To help keep the lights on (and pay dedicated employees), Rockville’s Badlands is offering contactless grocery pick ups; 50% of proceeds go to support Badlands staff. You can grab staples like butter, milk and cheese here along with kid-favorites like Goldfish, Pringles and Lay’s potato chips. Badlands also offers wine, beer and liquor to go. Don’t forget to pick up a prepackaged STEAM kit.

5200 Randolph Rd, Rockville, MD
Open: Thurs.-Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Online: https://badlandsplayspace.com/

The Neighborhood Restaurant Group
In healthier times, The Neighborhood Restaurant Group manages some of our favorite good eats, like Birch and Barley and Hazel in DC and Columbia Firehouse and Vermillion in Old Town Alexandria. During these uncertain times, the Group is operating Neighborhood Provisions with three pick up locations (Alexandria, Arlington and DC).  Order yeast, flour, toilet paper and locally-made, handcrafted hand sanitizer with your favorite apps and mains. Bonus: they also deliver!

Bluejacket, 300 Tingey Street, SE DC 20003
202-524-4862

Rustico Alexandria, 827 Slaters Lane, Alexandria VA 22314
703-224-5051

Rustico Arlington, 4075 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203
571-384-1820

Online: https://www.nrgprovisions.com/

Sweet Water Tavern
Craving those sweet and savory Ozzie Rolls? You can get them to go (with a side of honey butter) along with growlers, grocery essentials (including TP and paper towel), kids meals for kids 12 & under and your favorite Sweetwater staples, like firecracker shrimp. All American Restaurant Group locations are offering carry-out, but only Sweetwater Tavern in Sterling is operating a Tavern & Grocery (aka groceries to-go).

45980 Waterview Plaza, Sterling, VA 20166
571-434-6500
Open: 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Online: https://sweetwatertavern.pub/swtsterling

Founding Farmers
You can order your favorite menu options at all of Found Farmers restaurants, but in Tysons and Reston Station you can pick up groceries at Market & Grocery. Order family portioned meals, bottled craft cocktails, groceries like eggs, cheese, bottled craft sauces and more. Don’t forget pantry staples like Mrs. Meyers cleaning products, dish detergent, toilet paper and microfiber towels.

Founding Farmers Reston Station, 1904 Reston Metro Plaza, Reston, VA 20190
(703) 988-7333
Open: Wed.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Online: foundingfarmersrestonstationmarketgrocery.com

Founding Farmers Tysons, 1800 Tysons Blvd, Tysons, VA 22102
(703) 442-8783
Open: Wed.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Online: foundingfarmersmarket.com/order-online

 

photo: Anne Preble via Unsplash 

Farmer Markets

Old Town Farmer’s Market
Old Town Farmer’s Market is the oldest continuous market in the good ol’ U S of A used by the first President himself. It’s still open during the pandemic, but you do need to pre order your goods.  

King St., Alexandria, VA
Open: Saturday, 7 a.m.-12 p.m.
Online: alexandriava.gov

Bethesda Central Farm Market
Bethesda Central Farm Market is one of the largest markets in the area with over 100 vendors and is still operating as a traditional, walk-up. Your children will pine for pastries at Patisseries Poupon and wish for waffles at Les Caprices de Joelle, while grownups will appreciate lobster rolls and Zeke’s coffee. Parking is free.

7600 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD
Open: Sunday, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Online: bethesda.centralfarmmarkets.com

City of Falls Church Farmers’ Market
Quite possibly the best market in the area—the American Farmland Trust puts it in its top five medium-sized markets in the country—this market now offers a to-go format. Featuring over 50 vendors, be sure to check out Kate’s Crepes and Pops ‘n Chill, an artisanal handmade popsicle stand with fruity flavors like roasted peaches and cantaloupe.

300 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA
Open: Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon
Online: fallschurchva.gov

photo: Suzie’s Farm via Flickr

CSA Memberships

Farm to Family
This veteran-owned, Richmond based CSA offers fruit, meat, eggs, soy products, pasta, bread, and pantry items delivered straight to your door. Our favorite add-on: locally sourced, ready to heat meals

Online: thefarmbus.csaware.com

From the Farmer 
This CSA offers curated boxes from MD and VA farms delivered right to doorsteps in the greater DMV area. It’s a farmer’s market that comes to you! Choose from: six different plans offering fruits and vegetables, with optional add-ons like bread and pantry items. You can customize boxes or skip one entirely.

Online: fromthefarmerdc.com

Lancaster Fresh Farm Cooperative
This Lancaster-based CSA has pick up locations throughout the DMV, including Shaw, Petworth, Capitol Hill, Brookland, Arlington, Silver Spring, Herndon and more. Choose from: vegetable boxes in three different sizes, with option to add fruit, cheese, eggs, meats, fresh flowers, or herbal medicine. 

Online: lancasterfarmfresh.com

Groundworks Farm
This Pittsville, MD CSA is making pick ups safe by asking members to stand over 12 feet a part, offering hand sanitizer after pick up and making sure all hand offs include masked and gloved employees. Choose from: produce, egg, meat, chicken, and cheese for pick up  in Arlington, Alexandria and Annapolis. 

Online: groundworksfarm.com

Little Farm Stand (Virginia)
Delivered fresh to your home, this CSA offers organic, pesticide-free produce from VA farm. Choose from: fruits and vegetables, with the option to add on eggs, grass-fed beef, preserves, pies, honey, and maple syrup. Each box can be customized!

Online: littlefarmstand.com

 

—Meghan Yudes Meyers, Pat Tanumihardja, HiIary Riedemann and Emily Coleman Dibella

featured photo: Jill Wellington via Pixabay

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