Two years ago, Baltimore welcomed the new Lexington Market. For decades, the market has served as a place for people to buy food—including produce—from area small businesses. The market’s design offers upper and lower areas, which are connected by a grand stairway that is lined with seating and is described as “Baltimore’s biggest stoop.” The upper features prepared foods and specialty vendors selling treats such as baked goods, ice cream and coffee, while the Lower Market is devoted to those looking to buy fresh foods, including a great deal of produce.
Farmers markets are also popular in Baltimore and its surrounding communities. Popping up on weekends mostly, these weekly events offer foodies all sorts of delicious goods, not just produce, but also specialty coffees, fresh breads and artisanal cheeses.
While summer is the key season for these markets, many are open in the fall, and some are open for business year-round.
Now that we’re in the fall, produce markets in the Baltimore area are sure to be offering fresh Maryland-grown produce, including items like peppers, cantaloupes, plums, blackberries, grapes, raspberries and winter squash, which will be in season through mid-September.
Watermelons will be available until early October, while fall produce such as apples, pears, pumpkins, turnips, and sweet potatoes will available throughout the season.
Another great place to pick up produce is the Maryland Wholesale Produce Market in Jessup, run by the Maryland Food Center Authority. The produce market originally opened its doors in the late ’70s, when many of Baltimore’s produce wholesalers were based in various locations in the city’s downtown area.
The current market is located in the I-95 corridor in close proximity to the interstate for receiving product by using the highway system. Jessup was chosen because of its convenient location, halfway between Baltimore and Washington D.C.
Today, there are approximately 30 vendors who call the market home. Over the last few years, the market has seen a resurgence, with a multi-million investment that added many modernizations.
Baltimore has an increasing number of chef-driven restaurants who care about fresh, local and quality ingredients, and thankfully, there are plenty of places for them to fill their needs.