Another Sibling
I’m not talking about a brother or a sister. The news is officially out—Central Farm Markets is adding another venue to our weekly market line-up, the Half Street Farmers Market in front of the Nationals Stadium. After being bullied out of the space and name of the NOVA market, I’d repeatedly heard Mitch and Deb say, “Never again!” They were going to stick with the current markets and that’s it.
But some opportunities are too good to pass up.
I knew something was up when a gentleman showed up one week a while back and began asking questions about why I liked being a vendor with Central Farm Markets. At first, I thought he was looking to join as a vendor, but as our conversation went on his inquiries zeroed in on the management and growth I’d experienced over the years compared to the other markets I’d attended.
When I first began going to markets I was eager to expand, taking a crew into DC on Saturday and Sunday, going to three markets each day. But after a few years of that grueling schedule, I realized that more of my time was spend managing logistics and people, not farming, which is what I really wanted to do. You know what they say, be careful what you wish for.
Farming more, meant going less to market. I’d been to many regional markets—big ones, small ones, markets run by a non-profit system, farmer-run markets, municipal-run markets, and privately operated markets. I’d gone to market in both good and bad neighborhoods, driven throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and the District. I’d been a founding vendor at several markets and worked to get into coveted markets. I’d sat on boards, recruited, and mentored new and beginning farmers breaking into market life.
So when my inquisitor asked about other markets, I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz telling this man what I’d seen behind the curtain of farmers markets over the years and why, when I’d whittled away at my market schedule, I’d settled on Central Farm Markets as a solid home.
Nothing beats a well-run business and that’s exactly what a farmers market should be. Afterall, we’re an amalgamation of businesses. Developers Jair Lynch and JBG SMITH did their homework before settling on Central Farm Markets to launch and operate a new market in the Capital Riverfront community.
Opening new farmers markets aren’t the hippy feel good ventures they once were when someone got the idea to get a bunch of farmers to set up in a parking lot once a week. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes paperwork and preparation for both the market and vendors. There’s negotiations, contracts, signage, changes to websites, promotion, licenses, and that’s before a single potential vendor is contacted.
Speaking of vendors, Central Farm Markets has worked diligently to bring new faces on board at their newest market. This region is fortunate to be within a two hour radius of some of the best agricultural land in the country and home to several mature sustainable agricultural organizations who have been educating farmers about direct marketing, soil health, organic and regenerative practices to ensure the next generation of farmers will thrive.
“Farmers markets are more than nice events in our communities,” said Brian Moyer, Program Coordinator at Penn State Cooperative Extension and veteran market farmer commenting on recent research about farmers markets conducted by Penn State University. “They are essential to our local food economy. Markets provide a common space for farms and food businesses to offer their products and incubate new businesses.”
Throughout the years, the one constant of each market is how customers take ownership of their markets. Repeatedly I’ve been introduced by my customers as their farmer from their market. I’ve forged lifelong friendships and lucrative long-term business relationships at each market I’ve attended over the years. After witnessing how Central Farm Markets have become a beloved part of each community they enter, it will be fun to see how surrounding businesses and residents of Ward 8 will embrace their new family.