It's Back! Downtown College Park Farmers Market to Open Sunday

College Park residents can take advantage of healthy and locally grown food products again when the Downtown College Park Farmers Market reopens this Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the City Hall parking lot.

The market, now in its third year of operation, is set to experience some significant changes.

In the past, vendors were allowed to bring items purchased on wholesale, such as oranges, bananas and other products not grown in the region. This year, all fruits and vegetables will be producer-only in order to emphasize locally grown food and let patrons know where products are coming from.

Last year’s market featured four vendors, all of which are returning this year:

• Bear’s Honeypot: specialty foods and cheeses
• Bill’s Backyard BBQ: prepared food
• Heavenly Created Desserts: cupcakes, pies and other desserts
• Miller Farms: produce, eggs, ice cream, baked goods

The following four vendors will be joining the market this year:

• Flower of the Forest Farm: organic produce from Maryland
• Grandma Vera’s Bakery: bread and baked goods
• Pleitez Produce: organic produce from Virginia
• Smith Meadows: meats (beef, pork, lamb), eggs, noodles, sauces

This list might grow as the year goes on, as there are several other vendors currently under consideration.

Another change this year is the addition of a paid market master, Kelly Morris of KSM Marketing, whom the College Park City Council elected to bring on in February. Previously, the vendors ran the market, but it lacked guidelines for growth.

Morris already has experience operating two successful markets in Washington, D.C. and now hopes to do the same for the community of College Park.

“Our goal is to provide an accessible and vibrant farmers market that delivers fresh and local produce and valuable food products in a friendly atmosphere that fosters and promotes healthy living,” Morris said.

The official grand opening will not take place until May 5 because of weather conditions and lack of produce.

“The season is off to a slow start due to Mother Nature and the delayed spring weather,” Morris said. “Many farmers are just starting to see growth and much production for the market is still a few weeks away.”

The market will feature regular events such as chef demos, nutritionist discussions, and children’s tables. There will also be weekly entertainment or music.

Economic Development Coordinator Michael Stiefvater said a top goal is for the market to not only be a place to pick up food for the week, but to also be a fun place for people to get together.

“We are trying to create a place for the community to gather, while providing access to local and wholesome food and products,” Stiefvater said.

In order to spread word of the market’s opening, Morris and her team have put up streetlight banners downtown along with flyers and posters around the city and UMD campus.

Organizers have also set up a website, Facebook page and Twitter feed and have sent out emails to community members. Stiefvater believes word of mouth will also play a major role in the market’s promotion.

“We were happy to have the downtown market for the past two years, but we’re hoping to make this one of the best farmers markets in the region,” Stiefvater said. “Of course to achieve this goal, we’re dependent on support from the community, so we hope folks come out and help us grow the market.”

The market is set to run every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. through Nov. 17. The City Hall parking lot is located at 4500 Knox Rd.; free parking is available in the downtown parking garage on the corner of Knox Road and Yale Avenue.