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The Rewards of Buying Local

Find more than fresh produce at your farmers’ market

Through the last week of October, Anne Arundel and Calvert counties host six weekly farmers’ markets, where you’ll find more than fresh local produce and baked goods. I’m a regular at The Deale Farmer’s Market, held on Thursday afternoons from 3-6pm, where I sell peaches and nectarines into August, followed by figs.

For those who shop or sell regularly, farmers’ markets are also opportunity to meet friends old and new. For many, the markets bring different, unfamiliar varieties of fruits and vegetables to admire and taste. For all, it’s a place to ask questions from marketeers who are more knowledgeable about the produce they grow than the managers at grocery stores.

Farmer Bill Morris of Deep Cove Farms in Churchton is a great one for displaying heirloom varieties along with new varieties of tomatoes, apples and peppers; he can tell you more stories about eggplants than you might want to hear. Gail and her husband’s Eldridge Farm is down the road from the market in Tracys Landing. They always have a great display of many different vegetables, including corn, which Eldridge staggers to last from July into October, plus daughter Elizabeth’s fresh-cut zinnias. Elizabeth Ogden of Jack Creek Plants adds potted plants, many of them native, and fresh herbs to the mix. Baker Joe Port is best known for his Portuguese breads, cinnamon twists, multi-flavored Danish pastries and scones. If you come early in the season, before Bonnie Delabrer sells out, you can spread her jams and jellies on Joe’s bread.

Many customers know me as Bay Weekly’s Bay Gardener and bring their sick plants and gardening questions. Some Thursdays, the Deale Farmers’ Markets become impromptu plant clinics and gardening lecture halls. Many of the questions asked give me ideas for this column. Sometimes, shoppers offer suggestions for preparing different articles. It is good to hear that many of our customers read Bay Weekly.

So visit your farmers’ market.

We farmers are a friendly group; we’ll be glad to chat and help you in any way we can.

Seasonal Offerings at Farmers’ Markets

October welcomes in Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, rutabaga, spinach, sweet potatoes, winter greens and pumpkins. Cut flowers, homemade baked goods, herbs, jams, soaps, vinegars and crafts remain on sale year round.

Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Market, 7am-noon Sa thru Sept. 29; 7am-noon Tu thru Oct. 19 @ Riva Road & Harry S. Truman Pkwy., Annapolis: Brenda @ 410-349-0317.

Calvert County Farmers’ Market, 9am-2pm Sa thru Oct. 27 @ Prince Frederick Shopping Center, off Duke St., Prince Frederick: Tim @ 443-532-7479.

Deale Farmers’ Market, 3-6pm Th thru Oct. 25 @ Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, 5965 Rt. 256, Deale: Gail @ 410-867-4993.

Piney Orchard Farmers’ Market, 2-6:30pm W thru Oct. @ Piney Orchard Community and Visitors Center, Stream Valley Dr., off Rt. 170, Odenton: Bill @ 410-867-9162.

Severna Park Farmers’ Market, 8am–noon Sa thru Oct. 27. @ Severna Park Farmers’ Market, Ritchie Highway (Rt. 2) and Jones Station Rd., Severna Park: 410-222-7410.

South River Colony Farmer’s Market, 2-6pm Th thru Oct. 25, off Rt. 2 & 214, South River Colony. p

Ask Dr. Gouin your questions at [email protected]. All questions will appear in Bay Weekly. Please include your name and address.

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