Anne Arundel County Farmers Market

At 31 years old, the Saturday Anne Arundel County Farmers Market is Anne Arundel’s oldest and largest. Over 50 farmers and producers sell not only fresh fruits, vegetables and meat but also a diversity of homemade goods, like soaps, pies, jams, ceramics, cards and beeswax items.
    “A farmers market is an entirely different experience,” says market chair Martin Zaner. “You talk directly to the grower who can tell you exactly how his products were grown. The foods are local, fresher, and the money stays in the community.”
    One of the 50, Francis Myles took over his family farm in Crownsville when he was 15. Now his extended family helps him sell Myles Flower and Produce’s tomatoes, butternut squash, cucumbers, kale, cabbage — and flowers.
    Maryland Sunrise Farm has a niche of selling grass-fed Angus beef. Farmer Virginia Ganbrell enjoys her work. “I love getting up close and personal with my food,” she says.
    Julie Wood, of Juelles, sells jewelry and body products she’s made. Her natural soaps avoid chemicals.
    Shari McDonald of Old McDonald’s Farm sells the traditional pecan praline. “This is the real New Orleans southern praline,” she says of her candy.
    Money that stays in the community makes dreams come true. “Selling our flowers paid for my college degree,” says Denise Gertz of Gertz Farms.

Anne Arundel County Farmers Market – 7am-noon, Riva Rd. & Harry S Truman Pkwy., Annapolis: 410-349-0317; www.aaedc.org.