Skip to main content

- Advertisement -

Exploring Baltimore’s thriving produce scene

By
Keith Loria

Baltimore is famously recognized for its seafood, particularly its crabs, but it also boasts a lively produce industry. As the largest city in Maryland, Baltimore plays a crucial role in the state’s agricultural sector. In Maryland, nearly 30,000 acres are dedicated to vegetable cultivation, with sweet corn covering over 8,000 acres, followed by watermelon at more than 3,700 acres. Additionally, fruit production spans over 4,000 acres, with apples occupying nearly 1,800 acres.

With more than 2 million acres of farmland throughout Maryland, the state contributes $8.25 billion annually to the economy.

A healthy and varied crop of local Maryland fruits and vegetables, along with individuals who are dedicated to providing the people of Baltimore with access to these goods, have helped make Baltimore a bustling hub for produce.

Since 1977, the Baltimore Farmers’ Market, managed by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts, has been a cherished hub for locals. The city’s largest market plays an important role in providing people in the city an opportunity to buy healthy fresh foods while supporting local growers. Open Sunday mornings until the end of January, the supports and promotes arts and culture in the city.

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.

Keith Loria

Keith Loria

About Keith Loria  |  email

A graduate of the University of Miami, Keith Loria is a D.C.-based award-winning journalist who has been writing for major publications for close to 20 years on topics as diverse as real estate, food and sports. He started his career with the Associated Press and has held high editorial positions at magazines aimed at healthcare, sports and technology. When not busy writing, he can be found enjoying time with his wife, Patricia, and two daughters, Jordan and Cassidy.

Tagged in:

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -