produce at Bethesda Central Farmers Market

Fresh finds from the farm

Shop for local produce at Bethesda Central Farmers Market

photo by Zara Ducker

By Zara Ducker and Eitan Malkus Arts and Entertainment Editors

Going to the Bethesda Central Farmers Market is one of the best things to do on an early Sunday morning, whether it’s going to smell the baked goods, take a bite of a fresh crepe or just buy local produce. The market, which hosts over 100 vendors year-around, is centrally located at Bethesda Elementary School. The market is open every Sunday morning from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. From baked goods to freshly prepared meals, the market has all anyone could want and more. The amazing smells wafting from the stands are enough to get me out of my house in the early morning to roam around the market before crowds arrive. While the market does get crowded, the line to get in is usually short and the space doesn’t feel overly crowded. However, with minimal parking, it can be hard to find a spot, especially in the late morning. The Farmers Market follows strict COVID-19-protocols, including distancing, mask-wearing and a capacity limit. Because the market is completely outside, for many it feels safer than an indoor grocery store. Most of the stands are local businesses and farms, which offer a variety of fresh food, whether it be prepared foods or groceries to take home. In addition, the market is an excellent place to give back to community businesses that have suffered during the pandemic. Most of the stands are from the Maryland-area and are small businesses that could use extra help during this time. Because the produce is locally sourced and farm-fresh, it often pays to do food shopping at the market instead of visiting a crowded superstore like Giant or Harris Teeter. It can be a quick five minute stop to pick up all your shopping needs. You should visit the market no matter how far away you live. It can make for a perfect stop in the early morning, especially as the weather begins to get warmer.

Other Farmers Markets:

FRESHFARM Dupont Market

Open on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 1600 20th St. NW, Washington, DC

Pike Center Farm Market

Open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 910 Rose Ave., North Bethesda

Must Hit Stands:

photos by Zara Ducker

1. Rita’s Crepes

Rita’s Crepes offers a large selection of delicious crepes, including both sweet and savory options. Some good options are the nutella and strawberry crepe and the avocado, tomatoes and cheese crepe. The staff prepares the crepes right in front of customer, which is exciting and fun to watch. Rita’s Crepes is among one of the most popular stands at the market, so the line can sometimes be long. However, the wait will always be worth it.

2. Zeke’s Coffee

Zeke’s is a great place to grab a cup of freshly roasted coffee to sip on while walking around the market. They have dairy and non-dairy milk options, along with many kinds of sweetener. Among the plethora of options to take home are hot coffees, cold brews and different styles of coffee grinds. The coffee tastes fresh, yet very rich at the same time. It is definitely one of the best places to buy a drink at the market.

3. Twin Springs Fruit Farm

If you only have time to visit one stand, this is the stand I would go to. During the summer season, they sell delicious peaches, apples, strawberries, blueberries, cherries and much more. In addition to delicious fruits, they also sell a variety of vegetables. The tomatoes in particular are great because they are very flavorful, juicy and a beautiful red color. All of their products taste more fresh than anything from a regular grocery store.

4. The Farm Market Bakery

The Farm Market Bakery is among the best bakeries at the farmers market. They have so many freshly baked breads, quiches, cakes, pies and pastries to choose from. Some of the bread options include harvest whole grain with five different seeds, New York rye with caraway seeds, artisan ciabatta, crusty Italian loaf, sourdough and additional weekly specials. You cannot go wrong with what you order because all options are delicious.

5. Feeding You Kosher

If you are looking for a place to buy kosher meat for your next Shabbat dinner, this stand is a must-stop. Feeding You Kosher offers many kinds of kosher meats including beef, poultry and lamb. Like most kosher meats, some of the options are a little pricey, but the serving size and quality matches the price. They also offer challah and bagels, which can be a nice addition to your Shabbat dinner table. Not to mention, if you feel lazy and do not want to cook, they also sell prepared meals like teriyaki chicken and sliced brisket platters.