Brightest Young Things

August 3-9 is National Farmer’s Market Week. Farmer’s markets are a great way to support local agriculture, cut back on your global imprint and eat healthier. As food costs in the grocery store rise, farmer’s markets have also become a more affordable and pleasant alternative to your regular shopping.

Living in D.C. we have such a wealth of great options for buying fresh food. Eastern Market and the Dupont Circle Market get national attention, but a whole span of local options exist as well. You’ll often find me with a large tote, mild hangover and a big pair of sunglasses getting produce and Breadline at the Bloomingdale Market on Sundays. The Washington Post created an interactive map of markets throughout the region, with the ability to drill done by day of week. There’s also a comprehensive list.  

But what if you don’t want to pick one day of the week to do your shopping. There’s always the option of Whole Foods, Yes! Organic or MOM’s – My Organic Market, or you could go more local.  On 2^nd and Rhode Island sits a little blue store called Timor Bodega. Owned by Kim Wee, Timor Bodega is an organic cornerstore that sells glass bottled milk from a local dairy, organic meat from local farms and carries enough produce to make everyday meals.  There is also beer and wine, some of it organic.

In speaking with Kim, he told me that he buys meat and produce from Truck Patch Farms in Frederick Co. wherever possible. He also stocks poultry, sausages and small cuts of meat by Eco-Friendly Foods, this is the only store that they supply and he’s working on a relationship with Virginia Lamb.  If you walk in the store and ask for the three things you must have, he'll tell you “glass bottled milk and ice cream from Trickling Springs Creamery, a bottle of Villa Jolanda Prosecco and chorizo sausage by Eco-Friendly.”

I will personally attest to the bottles of chocolate milk, this stuff pours like a shake and tastes amazing. Thanks to InShaw for the photo.

If you’re wondering what is in season and what to do with the stuff, I recommend Chef Oliver Friendly of Eat & Smile Foods. He offers 3-course, 6-course and cocktail party catering with a focus on locally grown produce and humanely raised meat from DC-area farmers markets. He also offers cooking lessons and can be found giving his lessons on local markets. His Farmer’s Market blog always gives insight into what is in season and is generously followed by a recipe for what is in season.

A lot of people take the guesswork out of it and join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) which provides a weekly basket of fresh, seasonal produce. You generally have to go pick up at a set location. You can find several options by clicking here. If you’d rather have produce delivered to your home, Washington Green Grocer will do just that. If you are feeling nostalgic, have South Mountain Creamery deliver dairy, meat and eggs to your home on a weekly basis. $3 for a dozen happy eggs.

And what goes great with eggs? Bacon.  As in “Bacon Alarm Clock.” Because not everything should be good for you.