If yours has not already opened, it will soon, and we have some numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

There were 6,132 farmers markets in 2010 -- a 16 percent increae from 2009.

The average vegetable gardener can purchase 10 times the amount of food at a farmers market they he can grow himself.

By 2012, the USDA predicts, the number of consumers who will demand locally grown food will reach 7 billion.

But the most telling statistic might be that in 2005 -- and it is certainly higher today -- 25 percent of the vendors at farmers markets said the markets were their sole source of income.

It is fun and healthy and a good thing to grow your own food. But remember the farmers who count on us to put food on their tables.

Here is the directory of farmers market in Maryland for this season. Or you can call 410-841-5770.

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With the lake, the bike and walking trails, the pool and the conservatory, the park is a natural gathering place for city residents, and another excellent venue to emphasize the value of eating locally grown fruits and vegetables.

The Friends of Druid Hill Park and the city's Department of Recreation and Parks will hold a meeting tonight at 5:30 at the Rec and Parks building next to the swimming pool in the park.

The group meets every Wednesday at that time as it prepares for the first market day, Wednesday, June 1, from 4 to 7 p.m.

If you are interested in helping this effort, why not show up for a meeting?

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Photo courtesy of Southeast Missouri Extension

I look forward to opening day at my farmers' market in Anne Arundel County the way baseball fans look forward to the Orioles' opening day.

I was there early Saturday morning at the market on Riva Road just outside Annapolis, and there were quite a few early birds there with me. There was also plenty of coffee and plenty of seedlings. But the spinach and lettuces went fast.

So I bought some peaches. Blossoms, that is.

Among the most popular booths at the market each year are the folks from Harris Orchards, who sell the most wonderful peaches. There is always a line and they sell out fast.

It is much too early for peaches, of course. So instead Bill Harris was selling the stems from the pruning he has to do each spring. Five small branches for $1. I bought $2 worth.

At home, I snipped off about a quarter inch of the stems and put them into a vase with water about 100 degrees -- just slightly warmer that body temperature -- as instructed by Bill.

By Sunday, the blossoms were already starting to emerge. The stems should last me about 10 days.

Hey. If you can't have peaches, you might as well have peach blossoms.

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Photo credit: Baltimore Sun/Amy Davis

Baltimore's Farmers' Market under the Jones Falls Expressway isn't the only one opening this weekend.

Anne Arundel County's Farmers' Market on Riva Road will open Saturday at 7 a.m. as well for its 30th season.

And my colleague Richard Gorelick over at Dining@Large says the market in Silver Spring is opening, too. (If you go, Richard says, there's a different location this Saturday only -- Gateway Plaza at he corner of Georgia Avenue and Colesville Road.)

Farmers markets used to wait until May or June to open. Now, because farmers have so many spring crops to offer, they are opening earlier.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is pulling together a list of all the markets, their times and locations, and we'll share that will you as soon as it is done.

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At 7a.m., patrons can begin shopping for produce, poultry, meats, seafood, spices, baked goods, preserves, fresh flowers, plants and more under the Jones Falls Expressway.

The bazaar also has unique crafts and collectibles, including fashion accessories, home décor items and other one-of-a-kind artworks.

Continue reading "Baltimore City Farmers' Market set to open May 2 " »

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