Meet Our Producers

Our farmers and bakers and picklers and cheesemakers bring the best foods in our region to our weekend markets:

Cucina Al Volo (BFM, 14&U) Cucina Al Volo is a new pasta manufacturing company that Matteo Catalani started with the intent of touching people with his passion and his food, all made with 100% local and organic ingredients from the farmers’ markets in the DC area. The company’s mission is to create and deliver the best quality pasta all from local ingredients so you can have simply and deliciously made Italian food al volo, or literally, “on the fly.”

Garner’s Produce (BFM, 14&U) Located in the warm Northern Neck of Virginia, Garner’s Produce has the longest growing season of all our vegetable and fruit farmers.  They are the first with strawberries and the last to have corn in the Fall. This 110 acre family farm brings to our markets many varieties of summer squash, eggplants, greens, shelling and fresh beans and many other vegetables and berries.  In 2010, Garner’s Produce was awarded the Virginia Century Farm status, an honor given to farms that have been in operation for at least 100 consecutive years.

Groff’s Content Farm (BFM) Julie and Bob run the farm in Rocky Ridge, MD full time, raising beef, pork, lamb, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and eggs. Groff’s Content Farm has been around for over 250 years, originally part of a royal land grant dating back to the 1750s.

Keepwell Vinegar (BFM) Sarah Conezio and Isaiah Billington make up the team. These two pastry chefs decided to start pushing sugar in a different way, and the result is their fabulous vinegars, sauces, and soaps — all made with local fruits and vegetables.

Swirly Girl Creamery (BFM) Offerings include 20 different hand-crafted cow, goat, and mixed milk cheeses, yogurt, and pudding made from the milk of the dairy’s herd in the Cumberland Valley (near Newberg, PA). The cows are not confined to a barn, but graze freely on lush pastures. No rBST on the cows, no herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers on the farm. Swirly Girl’s European-style, aged, raw milk and pasteurized fresh cheeses will keep you coming back to try varieties: Morbier, washed rind Tommy Goat, Mooster, Onamor, Camembert, and fetas. Their chocolate pudding is irresistible and their yogurt wows everyone who samples it.

King Mushrooms (BFM) Based in Barclay, they offer a variety of fresh mushrooms and mushroom products from their farm on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Cremini, Portobello, Chanterelle, Shiitake, Oyster, Maitake, Lion’s Mane, Pioppini, Enokitake, Chestnut.  Fresh and dried mushrooms, double extractions and Hungarian Mushroom Stew.

McCleaf’s Orchards (14&U) This fifth generation family farm, located in the hills of Adams County, Pennsylvania, raises a variety of berries, cherries, tree fruits and a wide range of salad greens and vegetables using sustainable practices.  Their kiwi berries have a cult status among their fans, who wait all year for the three week season.

Shenandoah Seasonal (BFM, 14&U) Shenandoah Seasonal uses sustainable and organic practices. Our systems for raising vegetables include an intensive, raised-bed method. This allows us to grow high yields on only 2 acres of land. We do not use chemicals but instead fertilize our soil using cover crops and by introducing new organic matter to the beds. While our methods are intensive, we believe they provide the highest-quality and most healthy produce possible.

Number 1 Sons (BFM, 14&U) Number 1 Sons is a brother-sister team making barrel fermented foods in Arlington, VA.  From kimchi to pickles to sauerkrauts. Spicy, savory, cucumbers, cabbage, beans, beets, New York style cucumber pickles… there’s something for everyone. Stop by for a taste.

Pecan Meadow (14&U) Grass-fed, half-Piedmontese beef; rabbit and pastured poultry, goat, lamb, duck; chicken, duck and goose eggs raised by this family farm in Newberg, Pennsylvania. Lois’ Pumpkin Whoopie pies started the craze in DC, and Pecan Meadow even raises the pumpkins for those famous Whoopie pies. You will see Daniel and his son, Ryan at market. Ryan began cultivating mushrooms three years ago and the stand now offers a bounty of yellow and grey oyster, shiitake, pioppino, and lion’s mane varieties.

Panorama Baking Company (BFM, 14&U) Fresh breads and other baked goods from their bakery in Alexandria, Virginia. Baker-Owner Loic Feillet is from Brittany and his bakery makes traditional French breads, buns, and breakfast  pastries. Get to the market early if you have your heart set on one of their baguettes or croissants. Their famous Rustique is found at Citronelle, CityZen and Central restaurants as well as our markets.

Plant Masters (14&U) Plant Masters creates a pop-up flower and plant center every Saturday during the market season with their assortment of fresh flowers, dried flowers, annuals, perennials, and herbs. Their Gaithersburg Maryland suburban farm also includes five of their neighbor’s backyards, a happy arrangement for their neighbors and their customers.  The range of plants, cut flowers and flowering branches is unusual and long- lived.  Lee Jr also has beautiful multi colored eggs and home-made dog treats.

Reid’s Orchard & Winery (BFM) Reid’s Orchard & Winery have used Integrated Pest Management to grow high quality, low pesticide input fruits and vegetables on their family farm in Buchanan Valley, PA, since 1976. Dave and Kathy Reid and their family bring to market delicious table grapes and a mouthwatering assortment of tree fruits and berries: 70 different varieties of traditional and heirloom apples through the season, asian pears, cherries, plums, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, heirloom tomatoes, ciders and preserves.  They create a nursery stand full of herbs and starter plants at market in May and June. Check out their winery in Ortanna.

Whisked! (BFM, 14&U) Whisked! celebrates the traditions of American baking. Jenna and her small, inventive baking team specializes in sweet and savory artisanal pies, with fillings fresh from the farmers’ market. Their bar cookies, cakes, and hand pies are locally legendary.

You can see where the farmers are located on the handy LOCAL PRODUCER MAP.