Every Sunday morning from April through December, local farmers gather underneath the busy Jones Falls Expressway overpass in downtown Baltimore to host the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar. In its 36th year, Maryland’s largest producers-only market turns the otherwise unassuming urban concrete space into a sprawling farmers’ market that far exceeds the traditional tents peddling tomatoes and watermelons.
Shoppers of the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar enjoy endless varieties of fresh foods, including seasonal fruits and vegetables. The market offers just about every type of meat available in the Mid-Atlantic region, like poultry, seafood, beef, pork, lamb, bison, goat, and rabbit. The artisan breads, fresh herbs, and organically raised and produced milk, yogurt, butter, eggs and cheeses, are reasons enough to visit. Of course, among the most popular vendors are the watermen who come with their freshly caught Maryland blue crabs, shrimp, mussels, clams, and assorted fish.
After all, we learned from Wedding Crashers that that’s what Maryland does…
For busy city dwellers accustomed to the made-to-order gourmet meals, this farmers’ market has that covered, too. Plenty of vendors sell fresh fried fish, Thai soups and noodles, hot off the grill turkey burgers, breakfast burritos, freshly brewed coffee and specialty drinks, pies by Dangerously Delicious, fresh mini-donuts, and so much more. On my recent morning trip, we indulged in the Lamb Sausage Gravy, Fried Chicken with Spicy Honey in a Biscuit, and Blueberry Limeade from Blacksauce Kitchen. It was one of the best meals I have eaten all year.
Even with full stomachs and bags of groceries, there is still reason for visitors to stick around when the eating is through. Local artists and craftsmen offer their wares for purchase. Crafts and collectibles, including jewelry, furniture, handbags, hats, clothing, art, and one-of-a kind pet supplies, are all available at very reasonable prices.
The next time you find yourself in Baltimore on a Sunday morning, carve out a couple hours for this pit stop between 7 a.m. and noon. The unique market will leave you with an authenticate taste of Maryland, a bag full of fresh produce, and a smile on your face. And maybe the feeling that you may need to invest in a pair of not-so-skinny jeans for these Sunday food excursions.
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