Beating a Drum to Market

Farmers markets have a long tradition in the Chesapeake region. By the late 1690s, the beat of a drum signaled the opening of trade at the city market house in Annapolis that was located on the southeast corner of Market and Duke of Gloucester streets. Similarly, the weekly Sunday market in Alexandria, Virginia has a long history dating to 1753 and is considered to be the oldest public market continuously held on the same site in the country. Notably, 18thcentury visitors to this market were able to purchase items sold there from local sources such as George Washington’s Mount Vernon or from slaves who were allowed to sell goods there to earn cash for themselves.

In today’s world, these small local markets are no longer necessary. Instead, farmers markets now provide people with a shopping experience that offers a sense of belonging and a personal connection to the products

for sale. An outing to a farmers market is more than just a shopping trip: it’s a chance to interact with the people selling what they grow, make, or source locally; it’s a chance to touch and taste before we buy; it’s a chance to let our children dance, frolic, and let loose to the beat of live music performed by community members; and it’s a chance to become intoxicated by the mouthwatering aromas coming from the prepared foods sold by people of myriad nationalities who make up our communities.

For many of us, this type of relationship is priceless because it offers accountability, reliability and sustainability, all reasons for which it’s worth getting up extra early on a weekend morning.

While today’s markets no longer open each day with a formal beating of a drum, they still provide visitors with a timeless sense of belonging and community. Here are highlights from some of the biggest and best regional markets that will delight foodies and their families alike.

OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET

alexandriava.gov/farmersmarketsSet on Alexandria’s

market square,surrounding a largefountain that mesmerizeschildren and adults alike,this historic market isheld year-round and isconsidered the oldestpublic market continuouslyheld on the same sitein the country. Visitorswill find a broad rangeof items, includingimpressively large 3- to4-foot long 18-poundloaves of sourdoughbread—bigger than manyof the children rompingaround the market.Where: 301 King St.,Market Square, in front ofAlexandria’s City Hall.When: Saturdays,7 a.m.–noon, year-roundHighlights:

• 70 vendors offering

fruits and vegetables,meat, poultry,cheeses, breads,pastries, fresh pasta,cut flowers, plants,soaps, jewelry andart.• Prepared foods

from unique vendorsselling veganoptions, NewZealand savory pies,and pastries madefrom hand-stretchedphyllo dough,among others.• Special events for

children includingface painting, music,balloon artists, andthe fountain.ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY FARMERS MARKET

aacofarmersmarket.comThough small, the Anne

Arundel County FarmersMarket still succeedsin offering the localAnnapolis communityplenty of choices forlocal farm goods, bakedgoods, native plantsand other locally madeproducts. The Marylandproducedhard cider isparticularly tasty andunique, and the hotbreakfasts made to orderfeaturing scrapple amongother locally sourcedmeats fill the air with anenticing aroma.Where: 275 HarryS. Truman Parkway,AnnapolisWhen: Saturdays,7 a.m.–noon, March 30–December 21;Sundays, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.,year-round;Tuesdays, 7 a.m.–noonMay 21–September 24Highlights:

• Over 30 vendors

offering fruits,vegetables, dairyproducts, meats,herbs, hard cider,crafts and nativeplants.• Special events

including kid-friendlyclowns, facepainterspony rides,a pumpkin festivalin October and aholiday festival inDecember.BALTIMORE FARMERS MARKET AND BAZAAR

promotionandarts.org/events-festivals/baltimorefarmers-market-bazaarOn Sunday mornings,

the underpass of theJFX comes to life withthe sound of live musicand the buzz of vendorsselling everythingyou’d expect at afarmers market plus theunexpected. Goatcheese, homemadegranola, pet food, art,crafts, locally made bathand body products,and an assortment ofinternationally inspiredprepared foods areguaranteed to make youforget your diet.Where: Underneath theJones Falls Expressway atHolliday and SaratogastreetsWhen: Sundays,7 a.m.–noon;April 7–Dec. 22Highlights:

• Dozens of vendors

selling produce,dairy, meats, juicesand spirits.• Extensive prepared

foods from a varietyof nationalitiesincluding Greek,Vietnamese, Italian.• Arts & Crafts Bazaar

• Compost Drop-off

• Cooking classes

• First Sunday events

such as back-toschoolin August andthe Fall Festival inOctober with hayrides and pumpkinpainting.EASTERN MARKET easternmarket-dc.org

Set in the heart of Capitol Hill, Eastern Market is a campus of indoor halls and outdoor spaces that has been in operation as a public market in D.C. since 1873 and is the only public market in D.C. to be used for its original purpose. The market’s existence is owed to Pierre L’Enfant’s original 1791 design of the city. The energy of this market on a Saturday morning is contagious, and the fresh meats offered for sale are out of this world in both quality and variety. Where: 225 7th St SE Washington, D.C. When: Tues.–Fri., 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Highlights:

• Indoor Market area has fresh meats, poultry, pasta and groceries.

• Outdoor Market includes vendors set up alongside the market hall who hawk handmade arts, crafts, pottery, up-cycled art.

• The Moroccan saffron and Caribbean hot sauces and spices are noteworthy.

• A large assortment of prepared foods, including stuffed dates, Mexican street food, and snowballs (perfect for the kids on a hot day)!

READING TERMINAL MARKET

readingterminalmarket.orgThis indoor market is

gargantuan, and thecrush of people all vyingfor the attention of themany vendors to make asale are testament to itspopularity. Basically, ifyou can’t find whateverfood item you are lookingfor here, you aren’tlooking hard enough.The Pennsylvania-

Dutch fresh-made donuts,the cranberry-infusedvodka (yes, 21+ folk areallowed to taste), theauthentic Italian pastries,and the bulk grains andteas. If you’re in Philly,just go—you will not bedisappointed.Where: 51 N. 12th St.,PhiladelphiaWhen: Open daily8 a.m.–6 p.m.Highlights:

• Produce, locally

sourced meats andpoultry, seafood,cheeses, bakedgoods, confections,and fresh cut flowers• Pennsylvania Dutch

products• A wide variety of

restaurants underone roof• Market to Table Chef

Dinner events• Jazz and Blues lunch

Hours• Special family events