Farmers’ Markets...
…are an important source of fresh, nutritious food for urban residents and a key asset of many vital and active communities within the city.
Many low-income neighborhoods in the District of Columbia have few, if any, food retail outlets that sell fresh produce. Farmers’ markets have potential to reach low-income consumers in “food deserts” and improve their nutrition. Farmers’ markets have low start-up costs and flexible models, which enable them to be responsive to the needs of a community. They can provide low-income consumers with: a venue for using federal nutrition program benefits to purchase fresh produce; nutrition education and ideas on preparing foods; and a place to build community.
While there is great opportunity, a number of factors must be addressed before low-income people can come to rely on farmers’ markets for affordable produce. Just as there is a dearth of grocery stores in low-income neighborhoods, few farmers’ markets operate in these neighborhoods; only four of the city's 32 farmers' markets are located east of the Anacostia River in Wards 7 and 8.
USDA publication now available: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at Farmers' Markets: A How-To Handbook (pdf)
Includes information on: how to install EBT systems at farmers markets; how to become an FNS SNAP retailer; what equipment is required to accept SNAP benefits at farmers markets; how to make SNAP EBT succeed at farmers markets, and much more.
What’s happening with farmers’ markets in D.C.?
July 2010: D.C. Farmers’ Market Collaborative comments on new vending regulations proposed by Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (pdf)
Fifteen Farmers' Markets in D.C. Now Accept Food Stamps
2010 markets that accept food stamps (SNAP) and Get Fresh checks include:
- 14 & U Farmers Market -- 14th and U Streets NW
- Adams Morgan -- 1800 Columbia Road, NW
- Bloomingdale Farmers Market -- First and R Streets NW
- Brookland Tuesday Market -- 10th & Otis Streets NE
- Columbia Heights Community Marketplace -- 14th Street and Park Road NW
- FRESHFARM Market, by the White House -- 810 Vermont Ave. NW (Double Dollars here)
- H Street NE FRESHFARM Market -- 625 H St. NE (Double Dollars here)
- Mount Pleasant Farmers' Market -- Mt Pleasant and Lamont Streets NW
- Riverside/Heritage Park -- 601 Division Ave. NE
- RFK Stadium Open Air -- 2700 Benning Road NE
- United Medical Center Foundation Market / Ward 8 Market -- 1310 Southern Ave. SE
- U.S. Department of Transportation -- 3rd and M Streets SE
- U.S. Health and Human Services FRESHFARM Market -- 200 Independence Ave. SW (Double Dollars here)
- Ward 8 Farmers’ Market -- Alabama Avenue at 6th Street SE
- Wharf -- 1100 Maine Ave. SW
Spread the word!
Use this flyer (pdf) to tell your community about the markets near you that accept food stamps and Get Fresh checks.
Farmers’ Market Collaborative:
In 2006, D.C. Hunger Solutions reconvened the Farmers’ Market Collaborative – composed of market managers, advocates, and city agency staff – to support farmers' markets and address barriers to bringing more fresh produce into underserved neighborhoods. In fall 2007, the Collaborative began working with District agencies to overhaul the city’s slow and cumbersome farmers’ market permitting process. On October 30, 2007, the Collaborative held an “Eat and Greet” reception at the D.C. City Council building, sponsored by Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham, to introduce the D.C. City Council and staff to farmers’ market stakeholders. In fall 2008, the Collaborative submitted comments to proposed vending requirements.
In 2009, the Farmers’ Market Collaborative ran an advertising campaign in 15 bus shelters across the city. Click here to see the ad (pdf). Aimed at raising awareness of farmers' markets in D.C., the ads also highlight the markets in the District that currently accept food stamps. The ads were developed by the D.C. Farmers' Market Collaborative, with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority generously donating space for the ads.
Helping farmers’ markets accept food stamps
In 2008, D.C. Hunger Solutions began a project, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers’ Market Promotion Program, to enable District farmers’ markets to accept food stamps. With the help of the Farmers’ Market Collaborative, we provided training, application assistance, wireless Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) machines, stipends, and outreach materials to four markets. By the end of 2008, as a result of our assistance, four markets began accepting food stamps, and more markets plan to accept food stamps during the 2009 farmers’ market season.
How D.C. Hunger Solutions can help:
- Provide guidance to farmers’ markets so they can accept federal nutrition benefits – food stamps, WIC, and Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.
- Collaborate with farmers’ markets and city officials to streamline city processes for markets and establish cohesive city policies regulating farmers' markets.
- Promote farmers’ markets to low-income residents as a source of fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables.
Help us spread the word:
- Join the Farmers’ Market Collaborative.
- Encourage city officials to adopt and implement the Farmers’ Market Collaborative’s policy priorities.
- Learn about Get Fresh, the District’s Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program for mothers and children and seniors.
- Post this flyer on how to use food stamps to buy produce at select District farmers’ markets.
- Use the DC Food Finder to find a farmers’ market nearest you.
- Volunteer at a farmers’ market.
Farmers' Market Collaborative Members:
- Adams Morgan Market
- Columbia Heights Community Marketplace
- D.C. Department of Health
- D.C. WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
- D.C. Hunger Solutions
- Freshfarm Markets (Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, H Street, Penn Quarter)
- Georgetown Farmers’ Market in Rose Park (sponsored by friends of Rose Park)
- Healthy Solutions / D.C. Produce Co-op
- Brookland Farmers’ Market
- Kaiser Permanente
- Markets & More (14the & U and Bloomingdale Farmers' Markets)
- Mount Pleasant Farmers’ Market
- New Morning Farm Markets
- Open Air Farmers’ Market (RFK)
- Riverside/Heritage Park
- Summit Health Institute for Research and Education, Inc. (SHIRE)
- United Medical Center Foundation
- University of the District of Columbia
- Ward 8 Farmers’ Market
