The U.S. Department of Agriculture Acting Deputy Secretary Michael Scuse and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Anne Alonzo will ring the bell Friday, opening the USDA Farmers Market for its 18th season on the Washington Mall.
This year's opening ceremony will celebrate farmers markets as a place for communities—rural and urban, farmer and consumer—to come together. From residents to tourists to the Federal workforce and other professionals, the activities planned will bring together all facets of the D.C. community. The USDA Farmers Market is part of USDA's continued effort to encourage everyone to eat healthy and provide nationwide access to healthy foods every day via more than 7,800 farmers markets across the nation.
"Across the country, farmers markets play a critical role in connecting consumers with the farms and businesses in their local communities," said Scuse. "USDA looks forward to celebrating these connections and the diverse community that make a city like D.C. so vibrant."
USDA invites area residents, visitors, and professionals from across the city to participate in the exciting opening day activities, including:
• Welcoming remarks from Acting USDA Deputy Secretary, Michael Scuse, and AMS Administrator Anne Alonzo (9:45 a.m.)
• Cookbook signing by the Beekman Boys, winners of the 2012 Amazing Race
• Cooking demonstration
• Photo opportunities with Thermy, Fight Bac, Smokey Bear, Woodsy Owl, and the USDA Dairy Cow
• Music by Columbia Heights Educational Center Band
• Educational activities from the D.C. Truck Farm
• Gardening activities
• Tomato plant giveaway, and more
The 2013 USDA Farmers Market will feature a wide variety of vendors from across the metro area selling fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, baked goods, kettle popcorn, local honey products, hand-made soap and much more.
The USDA Farmers Market is held every Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at 12th Street and Independence Ave., S.W. (across the street from the Smithsonian Metro stop). All farmers accept cash and some accept credit cards, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cards; Women, Infants and Children coupons; and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons.
The USDA Farmers Market is run by AMS and is part of the department's commitment to support local and regional food systems. Coordinated through the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative, this work includes resources from across USDA, including the online food hub portal and the National Farmers Market Directory. These and many other resources can be found in the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass.
Donations will be accepted for local food banks through the Feds Feed Families food drive.
