The 2013 Farmer's Market Season
is right around the corner!
. . . And representatives in the agriculture industry, market masters, farmers, food preparers, and more are stirring things up, planting seeds, and getting ready for a bountiful harvest this season!
Here’s a question for you, “Have you been keeping up with the growing greening industry that is saturating every community in the nation?” Well, we have! The environmental and food industries are bustling with a resurgence of new businesses, organizations and of course, the federal government has been keeping a finger on the pulse to ensure our communities’ stakeholders have access to wholesome and healthy food. Needless to say, there is no shortage of local farmers markets in the United States and the numbers are increasing each year. According to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS), there are over 7,800 farmer’s markets up and running in communities across the nation. In the Washington, D.C. Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA), the region boasts four hundred fourteen (414) local farmers markets; 153 in Maryland, 226 in Virginia, and 35 in the District of Columbia.[1]
Additionally, “The top states, in terms of the number of markets reported in the AMS directory, include California (827 markets), New York (647 markets), Massachusetts (313 markets), Michigan (311 markets), Wisconsin (298 markets), Illinois (292 markets), Ohio (264 markets), Pennsylvania (254 markets), Virginia and Iowa (tied with 227 markets) and North Carolina (202 markets). Together they account for nearly half (49 percent) of the farmers markets listed in the 2012 directory.” [2]
“Geographic regions like the mid-Atlantic (Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia), the Northeast (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont), and the Southeast (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) saw large increases in their listings, reporting, 15.8, 14.4 and 13.1 percent more markets, respectively.”[3]
Now that you have been well informed about the growing number of healthy food hubs to help feed your body and soul, the flip side to this exciting revelation is that there are neighborhoods which still do not have the benefit of accessing healthy produce and other nourishing foods. Case in point, during the spring and summer months in 2002, I recall driving in certain neighborhoods around the city (D.C.) with my beloved father observing the number of citizens that seemed to be gaining weight. My father as considerate as he was, told me to stop talking about people because he felt I was being hurtful. But in due time, he too began to recognize that folks were becoming more “full-bodied”.
When the folks who could possibly shed light and take action on this “bulging” problem, recognizing that obesity had already become a health problem, it was too late. People living in underprivileged communities were already experiencing increased incidences of heart disease, diabetes, blood pressure and other debilitating health related conditions was on the rise. Medical practitioners, food preparers, legislators, and other people concerned about the well-being of citizens soon recognized that the light bulb above their heads needed to be turned on and the rest has become history.
While I would enjoy sharing my ideas and experiences and research about this vast subject matter I believe there are a sufficient number of organizations that are doing the work to inform, educate and explore how we may become a healthier society. Organizations run the gamut promoting healthy foods, beverages, supplements, topical solutions, natural herbs, spices, and recipes. Some of these organizations include: NutritionAction.com, Women Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN), Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI), The Healthy Urban Food Enterprise Development (HUFED) Center, Agritourism, LocalHarvest, Accokeek Foundation, University of Maryland Extension, So Good, So Maryland, Real Age, FreshNation, USDA, Department of Agriculture, Sproutade, MOM’s, Yes, Whole Foods, and on and on and on.
The Wallace Center produced the report, Charting Growth: Sustainable Food Indicators in 2009 with the primary focus to “develop indicators for sustainable community-based food systems (SCBFS). As the report points out, these indicators were used to, “assess their current strength in the US and their growth. The vision guiding this project was one of greater viability and number of food systems that provide access for all communities to a safe and healthy food supply, grown in a manner that protects the environment and adds social and economic value to rural and urban communities.”[4]
‘EAT WELL and FEEL REAL GOOD INSIDE!’
“WHY GOOD FOOD MATTERS” – According to Winrock . . .
For many of us, since childhood we recall the term, “We are what we eat.” Expounding upon this thought Winrock states, “Through eating, we re-make our world according to what we are.” The researchers at Winrock assert, “It is hardly surprising that a country where ever-higher levels of material consumption are prized as signs of status and progress is showing the impacts of over-consumption in our bodies, in our national budget and individual credit-card balances, and in our land and waters. Fast food consumption has surged since the first McDonald’s opened as a walk-up stand in 1948, featuring 15-cent hamburgers, french fries, milkshakes, coffee and Coca-Cola. To read the full report, visit:
So, to continue doing our part to help solve this dilemma, we are providing our neighbors with healthy and wholesome foods at one of the D.C. region’s farmer’s market . . .
American Market@National Harbor
May 4 until October 26, 2013 ~ 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Founded in 2008, the American Market is a farmer's market situated in the heart of National Harbor located on American Way. Surrounded by trees, park benches, a cooling fountain, a variety of merchants, restaurants, and a host of savvy businesses, and residents, the market features local family owned and operated farms such as Tyson Farm (est.1988) hailing from the lush mountains in Hedgesville, West Virginia and Miller Farm (est. 1840) from the rolling fields in Clinton, Maryland. In addition to our farmers, the market also features local artisans who hand produce products such as; handmade jewelry from recycled items, greeting cards, skin and hair products, customized long boards, banana breads, roasted nuts, straw hats, spices and dips, local Maryland wines, pierogies, delicious ganache, kettle corn, sorbets, and more that will tantalize the taste buds!
Applications are rolling in from local purveyors submitting their bids to participate in the sixth season at the American Market! To date, the following vendors are confirmed and prepared to welcome visitors and residents from around the region and from other cities and countries to partake in a fruitful season. To offer you a hint of what our local growers and food vendors offer, here's a sampling from our farmers and artisans to help prepare you for the season . . .
Our Farmers & Specialty Food Vendors . . .
Miller Farms (grower/farmer), Tyson Farms (orchard farmer), Wilhoit’s Roasted Nuts (cinnamon and sugar coated pecans, almonds, cashews and spicy cashews), Big Poppa's Kettle Korn (five (5) flavors), Boordy Vineyards (local Maryland wines), GoneGreens (delicious dishes created with greens),Gourmet Creations by Joni (herbal dips and savory sauces),G's Periogies (authentic and homemade), Allie and Trish Sweets (low fat ganache), The Sweetest Surrender (sweet and delicious sorbets) . . . (as of 2/22/13)
Our Artisans . . .
Big Mama's (soy) Candles, Canvas and Matted Photography (images from cities in the U.S.), Casazza Designs (straw hats, bedazzled sun visors, jewelry), Habeebah's Herbals (personal care products – hair, skin), Holley Blue Jewelry (silver jewelry), K. Lynn Creations (handmade pillows, ornaments), NativeGrind (custom designed long boards), Reinvented Elegance (a variety of dazzling jewelry and accessories made from recycled items, greeting cards, mosaics, pressed flower art), Elements One (precious stones jewelry, travel candles), Scarvelous (crocheted hats, hand clutches), ET Textiles (handcrafted women’s cloth handbags, jewelry, accessories), Fatima Silver Creations (precious stones, silver jewelry), Millie’s Scented Rocks (aromatic rocks for health and wellbeing) . . . (as of 2/22/13)
HILights – Farmers/Growers
Tyson Farm, circa 1988 (Hedgesville, West Virginia) has been American Market’s staple farmer since 2010 boasting delicious tree and other fruits and vegetables. The farm is a family run and operated with Max Tyson at the forefront along with his sidekick brother, Miles. They travel selling their produce from market to market in West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland. The farm harvests acres of tree fruit such as delicious peaches, twelve (12) varieties of apples, six (6) kinds of pears, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, succulent blackberries, cherries, zucchini, squash, and more!
Miller Farms, circa 1840 (Clinton, Maryland), one of the first local growers when American Market was established six years ago bringing seasonal produce such as: asparagus, beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, greens, spinach, lettuce, okra, sweet onions, peas, peppers, radishes, yellow squash, green zucchini, pumpkins, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, turnips. In addition, a few years ago, Miller Farms acquired a bakery from another nearby market that produced delicious baked goods featuring a delicious selection of donuts, cookies, butter-flake rolls, seasonal pies, sweet cakes, muffins, shortbread, bread pudding, rum buns. Other offerings on sale will be items from their green house herbs, vegetable plants, annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, planters, and don’t leave the market without your jars of McCutcheon's products jellies, jams, butters, relishes!
American Market welcomes artisans, exhibitors and specialty food vendors who handcraft their products and wares. Interested? The market is managed and produced by Phenomenal Productions LLC. Connect with us at phyproductions123@gmail.com. Visit www.nationalharbor.com and www.phenomenalproductions.com
‘We’ll see you at the market!’
[1][1] USDA Agricultural Marketing Services, Internet, 2012 Directory, Data was updated on 1/18/2013 and this includes entries received from 1/09/2013 - 1/18/2013. The next update is tentatively scheduled for 02/07/2013.
[2][2] Ibid.
[3][3] Ibid.
[4][4] Wallace Center, Winrock International, Internet, 2006
