News

FRESHFARM Markets Coming to Mount Vernon Triangle Starting June 7, 2014

Thursday May 22, 2014

Mount Vernon Triangle area residents will now be able to enjoy the fresh tastes of the season at a FRESHFARM Market farm stand located at 5th & K Streets, NW on Saturday mornings throughout the summer. The festive, open-air new farm stand will open on June 7th on the sidewalk plaza in front of City Vista. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will continue each Saturday morning through October 25th.  In addition to the farm stand, there will be a variety of community activities throughout the summer such as chef demonstrations, live music, children’s activities, games and more. 2014 sponsors for the FRESHFARM Market Mount Vernon Triangle farm stand include Boston Properties, K at City Vista, Lyric 440K Apartments, the MVT CID and Paradigm Development Co.

“Residents of Mount Vernon Triangle made their desire for a Farmers Market very clear in a recent survey we posted and we are thrilled to be teaming with FRESHFARM Markets to provide high quality goods sourced from local farmers and producers,” said MVT CID President, Claire Schaefer Oleksiak.

Many of the farm stand products will come from Jarrah Salazar Cernas of Chicano Sol, an up and coming organic farm based in Blain, Pennsylvania. Chicano Sol will also curate items including fruit and vegetables sourced from organic and conventional farms, breads, baked goods, and eggs, as well as additional products from artisanal producers in the FRESHFARM Market network.

“We’re excited to introduce this farm stand model to our organization which will allows us to bring fresh local food to new neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. and grow with them as demand grows,” said FRESHFARM Markets Ann Yonkers. “This model also allows us to support our farmers by providing them with new opportunities to grow their business and reach new shoppers.”

The spring 2014 MVT CID Farmers Market survey garnered an enthusiastic response from the community. Highlights include:

    64% said they usually attend a farmers market weekly or multiple time per week during the summer/fall season
    91% said they would go more often if there were a location more proximate to MVT
    The majority – 49% – preferred Saturday morning markets
    91% said they shop at Farmers Markets in order to buy the freshest & highest quality food available
    Survey respondents most desired fresh produce and breads/baked goods to be sold as the market

About FRESHFARM Markets
FRESHFARM Markets is a non-profit organization whose mission is to build and strengthen the local, sustainable food movement in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. FRESHFARM Markets operates 11 producer-only farmers markets that provide vital economic opportunities for local farmers and artisanal producers, and outreach programs that educate the public about food and related environmental issues.  These farmers markets include more than 150 farmers and producers from five states who farm more than 12,000 acres. The markets attract over 406,000 shoppers annually in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. FRESHFARM Markets is the leading voice for farmers markets in the Chesapeake Bay region and a national leader in the local food movement.  For more information, visit www.freshfarmmarkets.org, call 202.362.8889, or follow on Facebook and Twitter @FRESHFARMMktsDC.

About The Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District
The Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District is a private, nonprofit organization established to enhance the overall quality of life for residents, visitors, employees and property owners in the Mount Vernon Triangle (MVT) neighborhood in Downtown DC. Celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2014, the MVT CID is considered to be one of DC’s best examples of a mixed-use community. The MVT is at the heart of the City—both geographically and culturally. Its boundaries include 56 city block fronts within the East End of downtown Washington, D.C., bordered by Seventh Street, Massachusetts Avenue , New York Avenue and New Jersey Avenue NW. The MVT is a welcoming, authentic, and centered neighborhood that mirrors the City’s unique mix of historic and modern buildings, longtime and new residents, and diverse cultures, restaurants, and experiences. We invite you to explore our website at mvtcid.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @MVTCID.