New Morning Farm
The New Morning Farm market’s two month-long spring break is over. The market returns to Sheridan School on Saturday, June 6th and the Tuesday market reopens June 9th.
The market is accepting preorders (more on that below), and drop-in shoppers remain welcome. The Saturday market’s first hour – 8 to 9 a.m. – is reserved for those most vulnerable to the coronavirus. At all times, masks and social distancing are required. There are many more details about the safety requirements and procedures in the June 2nd market blog post.
You will also find information there about picking up preorders. Be ready to book those orders well in advance. New Morning Farm wants your orders for the Saturday market by the previous Sunday. The farm is currently accepting orders for June 13th. To order, click the “Shop” button at the top of the New Morning Farm website. And be sure that you can pick up your order at the assigned time.
“It’s all gonna be a little different, a little pain-in-the-neckish, BUT SAFE!” Jim Crawford, the owner and founder of New Morning Farm, wrote in an email to customers this morning. “And, best of all, you’ll be able to get all those deelicious, fresh, certified-organic, home-grown vegetables and fruits you’ve known us for since 1972!”
The New Morning Farm market at Sheridan School (4400 36th Street NW) is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesdays from 3 to 7 p.m.
UDC Van Ness farmer market
The UDC Van Ness farmers market opened on May 2nd under new Covid-19 restrictions that limited what vendors could do and sell (no food prep on site, no “non-essential” merchandise, for example). With the District loosening some rules under Phase One of its reopening plan, the market team is making more changes, including the addition of more vendors and more variety.
“We are looking forward to bringing back on-site food preparation, non-food items (local crafts made by local artisans, etc.), and provide non-essential information and education,” Meagan Miller, the market’s 2020 student manager, told Forest Hills Connection in an email.
More vendors have arrived since the market’s first day. Ben King Produce, the Amish farm and baked goods vendor, was back on the market’s second weekend. Doña Rosa returned with her signature tamales on the market’s third weekend. A new vendor, PiloDC, sells handmade masks.
Miller says longtime vendor Aroma by Anette is returning soon, along with two more newcomers: The Crepe Shoppe and El Carreton Ice Cream
Miller also says the team hasn’t added a planned grab ‘n go station because of the low number of preorders. When you do place a preorder, Miller says, you can ask the market manager on duty for assistance in finding your vendor’s stall. Here’s preorder information for most vendors. And here’s the full vendors list so far.
- Apple Valley
- Ben King Produce
- Café Medrano locally roasted coffee from Honduras (preorder)
- Cheese Goatees goat cheeses and soaps (preorder)
- Flores Produce
- King’s Produce (preorder by 3 p.m. Friday.
- Mary and Duke Bakery Russian food (preorder)
- Mesisam The Ethiopian Eatery (preorder)
- Na’guara Con Sabor Venezolano Venezuelan food (Preorder at 347-987-6749 – try text message or WhatsApp)
- PiloDC reusable face masks
- Tamales Doña Rosa
- Valencia’s Produce (preorder by 7 p.m. Wednesday)
SNAP, WIC, Produce Plus and other food incentive programs are accepted at the market for eligible items.
And masks remain the rule for shoppers and vendors. There’s a queue to enter the market, but Miller says to feel free to pass the line if you see your vendor stall is open or is waiting on one customer. Just be sure to maintain six feet distance while you pass and while you wait.
Still have questions? Contact the market manager at [email protected]
The UDC Van Ness farmers market is at the UDC Student Center (4200 Connecticut Avenue) Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. through November 21st.