Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From a press release:

“The Columbia Heights Community Marketplace received a $65,000 grant from the federal government earlier this week to help more low-income individuals and families purchase fresh, nutritious food, develop the local Columbia Heights economy and increase incomes for local farmers.

“This grant will help us get local food into the hands of our less fortunate friends and neighbors in Columbia Heights and beyond and also expand economic opportunity for family farmers in the Washington, DC region,” said Robert Schubert, executive director of the Columbia Heights Community Marketplace, a 501c3 non-profit organization.

In order to encourage individuals from all walks of life to participate in this market and increase access to nutritious food, the Marketplace doubles the value of various types of federal nutrition assistance — SNAP, WIC Get Fresh Checks and Senior FMNP coupons – up to $10 each week through its Festibucks program. This stretches low-income community members’ limited food budget to ensure that they can purchase nutritious food that will improve their health.

With this grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Market Promotion Program, the Marketplace can now greatly expand Festibucks so that hundreds more low-income community members can purchase good food that’s good for them.

“This program was incentive for my children to be more involved in their nutrition choices,” said one user of Festibucks in 2010. “They found it fun to shop and make choices at the market.”

To learn more about the Columbia Heights Community Marketplace, please visit www.chfestivus.org and facebook.com/CHFestivus. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CHFestivus.

To learn more about the Farmers Market Promotion Program, please visit
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/FMPP”

Photo by PoPville flickr user dullshick

From the Petworth Community Market:

Join us tomorrow, July 8, for the Petworth Community Market! The market runs Fridays, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., through September 30, along Ninth Street at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Upshur Street, NW. New this week: Chef demonstration, food truck and a new orchard vendor!

Chef Demo: It’s In the Punch
This week, stop by the market for a chef demonstration by Dan Searing, the bartender at Room 11. On the heels of his recently published book on punch, “The Punch Bowl: 75 Recipes Spanning Four Centuries of Wanton Revelry,” Dan will be making a sangria and a fruit syrup using fresh fruit from the market — most likely raspberries! Stop by for recipe cards.

The Big Cheese Food Truck
After you’ve sampled Dan’s sangria, stop by The Big Cheese Food Truck, which sells delectable sandwiches and soups using cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery. The Big Cheese offers a core menu of six grilled cheese sandwiches plus two weekly specials; a tomato soup + seasonal soup (vegan options); and rustic bread from Lyon Bakery.

Full list of vendors after the jump. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user dullshick

The Petworth Community Market opens today! Join us from 4 PM to 8 PM every Friday starting today, May 20, through September 30 for this popular neighborhood gathering. Pick up fresh fruits and vegetables, egss, locally roasted coffee beans, pastries, aromatic teas, grass-fed meats, artisanal breads; linger to hear the weekly music.

The Petworth Community Market runs Fridays, 4 PM to 8 PM, through September 30, along Ninth Street at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Upshur Street, NW. Special events will occur throughout the summer, including chef demonstrations, artist appearances and local musicians. On the last Friday of each month, the market will feature live music from a variety of local bands.

Fresh off last week’s successful fundraiser at Domku Bar & Café, this year’s market builds on the successes of our inaugural year by welcoming SNAP benefits recipients with an EBT Machine and an “Extra Cash” program, accepting credit card transactions, hiring a new market manager, and ensuring more convenient hours for our customers.

North Capitol Main Street is heating it up at the old firehouse!

Join us this Saturday, May 21st, from 7 to 10 PM, 1626 North Capitol Street, NW.

$25 bucks (in advance, $30 at the door) gets you awesome live jazz, wine and beer, good eats, and door prizes from some of the hot businesses in this cool part of town.

Photo by PoPville flickr user ken_1001

Saturday, May 21, from 12 to 4p.m, 25 vendors will test their product at an almost risk free environment during the second Grey Market held at Local 16.

Grey DC, like many renegade markets popping up in cities, is an organization dedicated to building a stronger community in Washington DC. Grey DC allows vendors an outlet who lack the commercial kitchens and licenses needed to operate elsewhere. “The goal is for people to come into the program with an idea and come out a functioning business with a strong customer base,” explains founder Maya Robinson . “I’m hoping eventually people will go on to start filling empty retail spaces in DC.”

To enter the market, patrons must sign a waiver and pay a $5 fee. Specific vendor information can be found
here.

I didn’t think it would be possible but the kickoff to the new season for the Columbia Heights Farmers Market was even better than last year. It takes place Saturday, May 7 and runs through Saturday, December 17, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Columbia Heights civic plaza, located at the intersection of 14th Street, NW and Park Road, NW. You can see a list of vendors here.

Anyone check them out on Saturday?

From an email:

“Bon Vivant is an innovative online farmers’ market serving up locally grown fine foods to households in the greater DC metro area through the simple click of a mouse. Their online market — www.bonvivantcompany.com– takes the hassle out of finding the best locally grown, farm-fresh meats, chicken, eggs, cheese, butter, honey and more.

To celebrate the company’s grand opening and to help residents stock up on supplies for Easter egg hunts, they will be offering a free dozen eggs with every order placed now through April 24.”

Full press release after the jump. (more…)

I remember last year people were hoping for hours like this. Great news!

From a press release:

After major success in its inaugural season, the Petworth Community Market (PCM) is pleased to announce plans to return in 2011. Beginning on Friday, May 20th, PCM will be back with 20 weeks of local farmers and vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, fresh-cut flowers, arts, crafts, and more.

The 2011 market will open earlier in the season bringing a host of spring vegetables not present at last year’s market. The market’s hours of operation have been shifted to open at 4 PM and end at 8 PM to better accommodate those returning home from a day’s work.

PCM has also opened registration for farmers, producers, and artists. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, download the application at www.petworthmarket.org or contact the market at manager@petworthmarket.org or 202-386-0896.

Back in mid-Dec. we learned of the launch of this new “underground market”. At the time it was going to take place in Petworth. However the organizer, Maya, has told me that Kushi located at 465 K St NW in Mt. Vernon Square was able to offer up space that would work very well. She says the event at Kushi will be:

“Featuring the band Frau Eva

Vendors to include: The Seasonal Pantry, Dre’s, The Gourmet Cherry, Gavin and Friends, Cunningham Farms, Guerilla Yoga DC, Zachari’s, Smokin’ Somethin’ BBQ, Kushi’s, and more!”

I’m still intrigued by the market. You can sign up for it here.

From Grey DC’s Web site:

“Come down to Kushi Izakaya & Sushi on Sunday January 30th from 12 to 5pm.
465 K St NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20001 Sign up to avoid a long line at the door! $2 entrance fee.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user rockcreek

“Dear PoP,

I am the organizer for the DC Grey Farmers Market which is sponsored by Grey DC . We are planning our first ever market and the event will be taking place in Petworth!

We are looking for small food vendors who would like to sell food that they have made or grown.”

Their Web site says:

“A grey market, also known as parallel market, is the trade of a commodity through distribution channels which, while legal, are unofficial, unauthorized, or unintended by the original manufacturer.”

You can find more info here. Anyone ever heard of a grey market before? Think this is a good idea for DC?

From an email:

“Stop by today’s market for some EXCITING new vendors! The immensely popular local entrepreneurs from Pleasant Pops will be at the market offering their delicious line-up of custom-made Popsicles! You may also notice a new delicious aroma when you swing by with the addition an on-site barbecue smoker serving fresh ribs! You may have also noticed that the market recently began selling fresh eggs from Waterview Foods!”

The Petworth Market is located on 9th St, NW off Georgia Ave (between Taylor and Upshur) and runs every Friday from 3-7pm.

“Dear PoP,

A couple of neighbors in Petworth are organizing to maintain the median in New Hampshire Ave (remove weeds) this Saturday from 8:00am to 11:00pm. There was the one event for planting where at least 8 people participated. Now the problem has become weeds. We have been trying to tackle this but between 3 people alone it seems like a loosing battle. Do you think you could post some announcement to see if we can get any other neighbors to help/volunteer this Saturday. We will meet at 8:00am at the 3900 block of New Hampshire.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user petworthmarket

The market takes place from 3-7pm every Friday and is located on 9th St, NW between Georgia Ave and Upshur.

From an Email:

“As a special treat to help folks cool down, we are also welcoming the Sweetflow Mobile from 5 PM to 7 PM. The Sweetflow Mobile is an environmentally-conscious frozen yogurt truck from Sweetgreen. It is uniquely engineered to run without a generator, thus significantly reducing the amount of fuel consumed. Just like their stores, Sweetflow Mobile uses 100% compostable packaging and local/organic ingredients & toppings.”

Email continues with full list of participants and a recipe after the jump. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user kc.corcoran

This sounds like it’ll be a nice addition:

“The Columbia Heights Community Marketplace invites artists to apply to sell their own creations at the Marketplace.

Please send your contact information, description of your work and the products you will have for sale (100 words max/ please note that your statement will be used during the evaluation process) and five images of your work to:

chcommunitymarketplace@gmail.com with “Artist application” in the subject line,

or you may send the application to:

Columbia Heights Community Marketplace
c/o CHANGE, Inc.
1413 Park Road, NW
Washington, DC 20010″

Details after the jump. (more…)

Photo of Dangerously Delicious Pie by Ken

A reader just sent me an email last night (photo above) saying how he wished Dangerously Delicious Pies came to the Columbia Heights Farmers Market. CH Market folks – make it happen!

From an email:

“Wear your best golf shirt to the Capitol Riverfront BID’s summer outdoor movie this Thursday, July 29th — HAPPY GILMORE, the 9th movie in this year’s Ultimate Underdog series!

The movie will be held at Canal Park at 2nd and M Streets, SE. Stop by the Capitol Riverfront Farmers Market beforehand (3-7 pm at New Jersey Ave and M St, SE) to pick up picnic items or BBQ from Tender Ribs. Enjoy dessert from Dangerously Delicious Pies and Micha’s Sorbet at the park. Bring blankets and chairs, family and friends and enjoy the movies! Movie begins at 8:45/9 pm.”

“Dear PoP,

We started Pleasant Pops in March 2009 because we grew up in New York and North Carolina and absolutely adore “paletas,” a style of fresh fruit ice pops from Mexico.

I called Roger in March of last year after seeing an empty store front in Mount Pleasant and asked him to move to DC. Roger and I are former college roommates who met on the crew team freshman year.

Our flavors are all original creations we developed after dozens of informal taste tests and tasting parties over the past year.

The most memorable tasting party was a Saturday in February when 120 people came to taste our pops in the middle of the DC snowpocolypse. Strawberries and Cream, Blueberry Pancake, Banana Date, Avocado Lime (Guac Pop) and Green Tea were the biggest hits out of the dozen we offered at that party.

You can find Pleasant Pops at the Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market, starting July 3rd, and every summer Saturday thereafter, from 9a.m-1p.m. We’re also available for catering special events and parties

Grand Opening

Date: Saturday, July 3, 2010
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Location: Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market
Street: Mt. Pleasant Street
City/Town: Washington, DC”

Photo from PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

Thanks to a reader for sending in word about this one. It is run by FRESHFARM Markets every Wed.

Season: June 2 to Oct. 27, 2010
Day and time: Wednesdays, 2:30 to 6:30 pm
Location: 200 Independence Avenue SW.
Nearest Metro: Federal Center SW

The brand new Petworth Market was a great success this past Friday. It seems like this section of 9th St, NW (between Taylor and Upshur) was tailor made for a Market like this. In my opinion there are two elements to a great market: First, good fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread etc and second is the vibe. I’m happy to say the Petworth market succeeded on both counts. I think you can tell from the photos that this is the case. My only suggestion based on conversations with others would be, if possible, to change or extend the hours from 3 – 7 pm to 3/4 – 8pm (for those that work until 6pm). Thanks to the Petworth Community Market flickr group for the photos and thanks to all who were involved in making this such a great success.

Lots more photos after the jump. (more…)