Farmers market season has finally arrived, and at Johns Hopkins that means plenty of options for fresh produce, food trucks, and other treats during the workweek.
Dozens of farms and vendors drop by each week at the three markets serving JHU (see below).In Hampden, new this year is the Rotunda Farmers Market, a replacement of the former option in the Keswick South parking lot. The new Tuesday market kicks off June 13.
Those shoppers wanting a steady supply of fruits and vegetables straight from the farm can consider joining one of the CSA (community-supported agriculture) groups that delivers bundles weekly to sites near Johns Hopkins. (See your options below).
Note that the long-running CSA at the School of Public Health was discontinued this year, but alternate pickup sites are available nearby.
Here's the roundup for the 2017 season:
FARMERS MARKETS
Johns Hopkins Farmers Market in East Baltimore
Where: The Jefferson Street pathway near the Koch Cancer Research Building.
When: Every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 11 through Oct. 26.
What's available: You'll find fresh seasonal produce from two farms in the region—Zahradaka and Tuckey's Mountain—along with 15-plus food vendors serving up options such as tacos, barbecue pork, Thai food, and brick-fired pizza. Also available are gourmet nuts, honey, eggs, chocolate, funnel cakes, and candles, among other items.
Extras:
On May 18, the market hosts an electronics collection and recycling drive, along with a service for confidential paper–shredding.
United Healthcare will host cooking demonstrations on May 18 and June 29.
Partnering with the Maryland Farmers Market Association, the market offers a "bonus bucks" program for SNAP and WIC customers, providing $5 worth of benefits with their purchases.
Who's in charge: The Johns Hopkins Hospital Green Team, contracting with the Reduction in Motion firm.
Read more about the market on its Facebook page.
Rotunda Farmers Market (replacing the former Keswick Farmers Market)
The best way to stay up-to-date with this new market next door to the Keswick campus in Hampden is by following its Facebook page, as details on vendors and other specifics continue to develop.
Where: The central plaza area of the Rotunda, 711 W. 40th St.
When: Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., June 13 through Aug. 15, possibly extending through October. (Closed July 4.)
What to expect: The vendor lineup will include, to name a few, Cinnamon Girl Bakery, Asian food from Ekiben, and Hoop Tea, an alcoholic iced tea from Ocean City. Returning vendors from the Keswick market include Jones Family Farm, Wicked Good Sweets, Willow Lane Designs, YogaFresh, and FLASH Crabcake Co.
Extras: This market offers a weekly CSA pickup for eight weeks through Jones Family Farm. See details below in the CSA section.
Shady Grove Farmers and Artisans Market
Where: JHU Montgomery County Campus, parking lot at the corner of Key West Avenue and Broschart Road.
When: Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 3 to Oct. 25.
What's available: In addition to fresh local fruits, vegetables, and plants, you'll find meat, eggs, poultry, pastries, pasta, bread, and wine, along with food trucks, jewelry, and art.
Read more about the market—nationally recognized as one of the 100 Best Markets in America by the Daily Meal—on its website.
CSA GROUPS
Homewood CSA
Participating vendor: One Straw Farm, based in northern Baltimore County.
Pickups: At the Charles Street Market, 3301 N. Charles St., Mondays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., June 5 to Nov. 13.
What to expect: The farm's harvest chart gives an idea of the kinds of produce you might receive as the season progresses—for example, strawberries and snap peas in the spring, watermelon in the summer, and hard squash in the fall.
You can choose either eight items a week ($680 for the full run) or a half-share of four items ($360 for the full run). Memberships starting in September are also available; contact realfoodhopkins@gmail.com for more details.
How to join: Sign up via One Straw Farm's online registration form, choosing "Full Share" or "Half Share," then the "JHU Homewood" location. Members also can join a listserv, by emailing realfoodhopkins@gmail.com to keep up-to-date.
Rotunda Farmers Market CSA (replacing the former Keswick Farmers Market pickup)
Participating vendor: Jones Family Farm, based in Edgewood, Maryland.
Pickups: The Rotunda Farmers Market, 711 W. 40th St., in the central plaza, Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., June 20 to Aug. 15 (dates subject to change).
What to expect: As the season progresses, you might see sweet corn, nectarines, eggs, cantaloupe, spring onions, squash, cabbage, beets, and yellow watermelon, among many other items. Also: fresh-cut flowers.
You can choose a full share with eight items a week ($285), a half-share with four items a week ($185), or a biweekly full share with eight items every other week ($195). Save an additional $15 by paying with cash or by check.
How to join: Email Allison at the farm at Allison@jonesproducefarm.com or call her at 410-676-3709. You also can sign up in person on June 13, the first day of the Rotunda Farmers Market.
The Space Telescope Science Institute CSA
Participating vendor: One Straw Farm, based in northern Baltimore County.
Pickups: At the parking lot directly across from the Space Telescope Institute, 3700 San Martin Drive, Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., June 5 through Nov. 13.
What you can expect: The farm's harvest chart gives an idea of the kinds of produce you might receive as the season progresses—for example, strawberries and snap peas in the spring, watermelon in the summer, and hard squash in the fall.
How to join: Sign up via One Straw Farm's online registration form, choosing "Full Share" or "Half Share," then the "Hubble-STSCI" location. Note: This CSA is targeted mainly to STScI employees, but others from Hopkins have also taken part. Questions? Email site coordinator Bryan Hilbert at hilbert@gmail.com.
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