Fresh air and fresh fruit. Does it get any better? Farmers Markets are a great way to get outdoors and fill your pantry while teaching your mini shoppers about where their food comes from. We searched the area for the best family-friendly farmers markets that are currently open and serving up farm-to-table delicacies in the DMV.
Arcadia Mobile Farmers Market
If you want your kids to have a side of kindness with their veggies, check out the Arcadia Mobile Farmers Market. The 28-foot green bus sells locally grown and sustainably produced fruits, vegetables, eggs, and meat. There are a number of locations to choose from, like Oxon Run Park on alternating Fridays and Deanwood Rec. Center on alternating Saturdays. But we like the market at Bellevue Library (alternating Wednesdays) where you can pick up veggies and fruit with a side of books.
When: Wed., 3-6 p.m. (alternating weeks)
Where: Bellevue Library, 115 Atlantic St. SW
Online: arcadiafood.org
Eat LoCo Farmers Market
Head to this Loudoun County Farmers Market for an afternoon of fresh foods and live music. Every Saturday (year round) you can find everything from gluten free empanadas to farm raised oysters from the Rappahannock River to fresh cut flowers from Sweet Piedmont. EatLoco operates from two locations; the market at One Loudoun is just a walk away from dining, shops and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.
When: Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: One Loudoun, Atwater Dr., Ashburn, VA; Brambleton Farmers Market, Corner of Legacy & Olympia, Brambleton, VA
Online: https://eatloco.org
Old Town Farmer’s Market
Miniature history buffs will get a charge out of visiting the Old Town Farmer’s Market. Not only is it the oldest continuous market in the good ol’ U S of A, but our first President himself used to send produce from Mount Vernon to be sold here. There are more than 70 vendors so each member of the family can have fun walking around the market and trying out different things such as having your picture painted by a local artist, grabbing some fresh Amish pastries or checking buying a bundle of gorgeous local flowers. Old, new or seasoned visitor, there really is something for everyone!
When: Sat., 7 a.m.-noon
Where: Market Square, King St., Alexandria, VA
Online: alexandriava.gov
Shlagel Farm
Strawberries, fresh asparagus, onions, and custom cut beef, pork and chicken await families visiting Shlagel Farm – a taste of the country with a bit of a city market hiding in the barns. Little ones can get their bellies (and faces!) full of strawberries and then head into the market where fresh produce and meat await to be taken home and turned into delicious “farm to table” meals. You can even pick up fresh flowers while you're here. Don't want to leave the city? You can pre-order your produce for pick up at the following local markets: Del-Ray, Cheverly and Greenbelt.
When: May-Oct., Sat., 8 a.m.-noon
Where: 12850 Shlagel Rd., Waldorf, MD
Online: shlagelfarms.com
Bethesda Central Farm Market
Central Farm Market, with over 60 vendors, is known for outstanding prepared food. With three locations, we suggest heading to the Bethesda market for fresh produce and a picnic. Grab your snacks and head to the Caroline Freeland Urban Park for picnicking, located a short five-minute walk down the road. Just beyond are the restaurants and shops along Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues for when your littles get their second wind.
When: Sun., 9 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Where: Bethesda Central Farm Market, 7600 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD
Online: 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 has it all: 50 vendors; local, seasonal events (check the website for current offerings; some programs have been suspended due to COVID), fresh produce and kid-friendly treats.
When: Sat., 8 a.m.-noon
Where: 300 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA
Online:fallschurchva.gov
South Mountain Creamery/Karen’s Kountry Store
Families on the hunt for a fun Farmer’s Market on a random weekday should head up to South Mountain Creamery stat. This place puts the farm in farmer’s market! City kids can check out baby calves (springtime), feed the cows, and even watch Mabel, Bella, Cora, and others being milked! Farm fresh produce, ice cream and other treats are available in Karen’s Kountry store so you can have fresh from the field veggies, direct from the dairy milk, ice cream treats and no-nagging little ones. Sounds like heaven on Earth to us.
When: Where: 8305 Bolivar Rd., Middletown, MD Online: southmountaincreamery.com—Meghan Yudes Meyers, Hilary Riedemann and Emily Coleman Dibella
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