The DMV: D.C., Maryland, & Virginia
By Kat Osorio
If you live in the Washington, D.C. area, you’ll know that it has a lot to offer when it comes to eating locally. Residents living in the more urban areas have the option of trekking out to the more rural areas of Maryland and Northern Virginia to visit farms, orchards, and wineries, while still having access to a variety of home delivery options.
No matter where you live in the DMV, you’re able to take advantage of a community-supported agriculture program and get fresh, local produce delivered straight to your door. Eating locally-grown foods not only supports the local economy, it also benefits the environment and could potentially provide more nutrition considering the freshness of the food. A few of the area’s most popular CSAs include:
- Moon Valley Farms, Woodsboro, MD: https://www.moonvalleyfarm.net/
- One Acre Farms, Dickerson, MD: https://www.oneacrefarm.com/offerings
- Franchesca’s Dawn Farm, Halifax, VA: https://franchescasdawnfarm.com/
Farmers’ markets are a fantastic way to explore the local cuisine of the place you’re in, and the DMV area is no exception. Strolling though a market with a coffee or tea in hand makes for a great weekend morning, whether you have a specific thing in mind or are just exploring your options.
- Dupont Circle farmers’ market: Dupont Circle, NW D.C. Open every Sunday from 8:30am to 1:30pm. This market is located central to lots of other attractions that will round out your visit.
- Old Town Farmers’ Market: Old Town Alexandria, VA. Open every Saturday from 7:00am to 12:00pm. Consistent with the rich history of the area, Alexandria, VA boasts “the oldest farmers’ market in the country held continuously at the same site.”
- Bethesda Central Farmers’ Market: Bethesda, MD. Open every Sunday from 9:00am to 1:30pm. It’s one of the largest farmers’ markets in the region, with more than 100 vendors.
If you’re looking for a fun and tasty way to spend a Saturday or Sunday in the D.C. area, look no further than one of the region’s many farms, orchards, or wineries. With each season comes a different cast of local fruits and vegetables; in summer it’s berries, peaches, tomatoes, and peppers. At Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, MD, you can pick your own fruits, veggies, and flowers from May to September, a fun activity for the whole family. Homestead Farm in Poolesville, MD also has a pick-your-own option, and is right down the street from Rocklands Farm Winery, where you can sample a variety of locally-produced wines in an idyllic countryside setting. Red wine is particularly high in the anti-inflammatory polyphenol resveratrol, so enjoying a glass while taking in the local scenery is a fabulous way to spend a Saturday. Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg, VA comes highly recommended by area locals, as it boasts tasty fine wines and small bites, all set in a picturesque location.
References
2021 CSA guide (n.d.). Edible DC. Retrieved 28 July, 2021, from http://edibledc.com/csa-guide
Visit Montgomery (n.d.). The guide to Montgomery County farmers markets. Montgomery, MD. Retrieved 28 July, 2021, from https://visitmontgomery.com/blog/eat-drink/the-guide-to-montgomery-county-farmers-markets/
