Press

A Washington, D.C. program — Produce Plus — goes beyond the common benefits-matching model by providing low-income residents with money they can only spend on fresh produce. For Beatrice Evans, “getting $10 worth of fruits and vegetables she wouldn’t have otherwise was enough to encourage her to get off the bus and try it. After that first visit, Evans, 62, started shopping at several different farmers’ markets a week, getting $10 worth of produce at each one. She began buying bags of cucumbers, collard greens, cabbage, and squash. And now she wants other people in her boat to know they can do the same.” — Civil Eats, 15 December 2015

A local newspaper highlights the Bloomindale Farmers’ Market as the place to be on Sundays. “Located outside Big Bear Cafe, the Bloomingdale Farmers’ Market (BFM) is once again in full swing. This neighborhood staple supplies residents with local produce, sweets, and entertainment every Sunday from May through November. The producers bring farmers’ market standards as well as baked goods, sauces, plants, and preserves. Stock up on fruits from Reid’s Orchard & Winery, indulge in something sweet from Whisked!, or sample the pickles from Number 1 Sons, all while listening to tunes by local groups such as the LeDroit Chamber Players.DC MidCity News

Guest 14&U market chef Erik Bruner-Yang was featured in the Post Food Section as a part of a small group of millennials shaping the DC food movement. “Diners, many under the age of 30, wait two hours or longer for a taste of Bruner-Yang’s pan-Asian cooking [at Toki Underground], which was good enough this year to earn him a nod from Food & Wine magazine as one of the Mid-Atlantic’s ‘up-and-coming chefs.’ ” — Washington Post, 22 Oct 2013

“[BFM] is not as big as other DC markets but it is great in its smallness. Neighbors can meet up with each other, kids can get introduced to unprocessed food, and people can talk to farmers.” — In Shaw (the historically gentrified blog), 9 May 2013

“Robin Shuster, director of the 14th and U and Bloomingdale markets, offers cooking tips [in the weekly market newsletter] with the brevity and assurance of Elizabeth David and the timeliness and relevance of someone much closer to home….” — Washington Post, 30 April 2013

2012 was the start of the ‘Fruit and Vegetable Prescription‘ program, which helps cover the cost of fresh produce at five District farmers markets, including 14&U and BFM. “The hope is that a medical endorsement of healthful eating, plus cash to buy ingredients, will help families make real changes to the way they shop and eat.” — Washington Post, 19 June 2012

“Our market feels like a small village market. Everyone in the village comes out [to the Bloomingdale Farmers’ Market].” — Washington Post, 9 Sept 2009

“The Bloomingdale Farmers Market is a community-inspired and community-oriented farmers market in the heart of the Bloomingdale residential neighborhood…. To ensure that the market is inclusive for its diverse clientele, BFM accepts the full array of government nutrition assistance–EBT/ food stamps; Women, Infants and Children (WIC) coupons; and Senior GET FRESH coupons. This means that every stand in the market is accessible to every customer.” — examiner.com, 2 Aug 2009