Every two weeks, this column will bring you reviews of local flea and farmers markets.
Only four metro stops away, the Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market is one of the most convenient markets for AU students to visit.This market, established in 1997, is always buzzing with Sunday shoppers.
Location
The market is open on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through December. Starting in January, the hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market is located at 20th Street NW between Massachusetts Avenue and Hillyer Place, in the parking lot adjacent to the PNC bank.
Food
EMILY BLOMQUIST/THE EAGLE
Like any good farmers market, this market excels in samples. You can eat more apples here than you would in an entire pie. It is recommended you bring an empty stomach and a bulging wallet, as this market is a bit pricier than other local markets. The market primarily has produce, bread and cheeses, but it also has a few dining options to offer.
One popular venue is Chaia, a farm-to-taco place. Walking to this little taco stand, you can’t help but notice the numerous trash cans overflowing with taco remnants, which is a good sign. Chaia is a sustainable vegan and vegetarian restaurant, and it gets its ingredients from local farms. Currently it sell its tacos at FRESHFARM at Dupont Circle and FRESHFARM by the White House. Their first “brick-and-mortar” store will open in 2015.
Another favorite is The Red Zebra Pizza. The Red Zebra serves “wood fired food on wheels” and is the self proclaimed “coolest and hottest catering in the VA/DC/MD area.” Every Sunday the restaurant sets up under a tent, brick pizza oven and all, and awaits the descending masses. At the Red Zebra, you’ll get delicious, high-end, fresh, local pizza for a steal.
Chris’s Marketplace is another tasty venue with multiple samples and a cheeky sign that reads: “Have you seen the movie Contagion? Use a spoon.” Thankfully Chris has many spoons available to try his gazpacho. Chris’s also sells crab cakes for as low as $10 as well as empanadas.
A personal favorite is the Keswick Creamery at Carrock Farm. A trip to this Dupont market inevitably means a trip to the Creamery for its quark with jam. The independent, family-owned business proclaims on its sign that “Feta makes everything betta," and this writer is apt to agree.
FRESHFARM Markets
EMILY BLOMQUIST, THE EAGLE
The Dupont Circle farmers market is sponsored by FRESHFARM Markets, which hosts multiple markets around the DC area. The self proclaimed mission of the group is to “educate the public about food and environmental issues and to provide vital economic opportunities for local farmers.” The market has a program called SNAP, which offers food stamps that can be used at FRESHFARM Markets. SNAP is only one of many programs the group has that aims “to decrease the access barriers to fresh, healthy food.”
Sitting on the small lawn by the Dupont Market, taco in hand, listening to a young guitarist, the oncoming week doesn’t seem daunting. It’s just you, the taco and rows of produce. At the farmers market life seems a little simpler. So why not get brunch in Dupont this coming Sunday and then peruse FRESHFARM’s Dupont Circle market?
What: Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market
When: Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Metro stop: Dupont Circle, Red Line
