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Bloomingdale Farmer's Market
Category: Food Farmers Market Farmers Market [Edit]
102 R St NW(between N 1st St & N Florida Ave)
Washington, DC 20001
Neighborhood: Bloomingdale
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
19 reviews for Bloomingdale Farmer's Market
Review Highlights
"Located in front of Big Bear Cafe and with the lazy-Sunday..."
(in 6 reviews)
"Our fav place to get fruit, lamb and baked goods."
(in 3 reviews)
"...to being able to get fresh produce and such year-round at..."
(in 4 reviews)
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19 reviews in English
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Review from Ileana s.
Washington, DC
10/21/2011
I love this place. They have great products, very friendly vendors and good prices. Not overly expensive like most farmers markets.
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Review from Kathleen K.
Washington, DC
5/9/2011
What a great place! This is my neighborhood market, and I'm so glad to have access to it. It's definitely a quality-over-quantity kind of place; there isn't a huge number of vendors, but they sell a nice variety of high-quality products. It's never overcrowded (*coughDupontcough*), the vendors are incredibly nice and helpful, and they accept debit/credit cards for a small fee. Prices are comparable to other markets in the city.
I can't wait for this year's market to open; I'll be there bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 10 on Sunday! -
Review from Justin S.
7/20/2011
The Bloomingdale Farmer's Market was supposed to be my local source of meat and produce. I moved into the neighborhood and was thrilled to be so close to fresh local food! Unfortunately very little if anything sold here is priced for the working man. The stalls here make Whole Foods feel like a bargain super-center. At first I gave faith to a few of the vendors and tried some of the products under the premise that the prices would be justified by the quality. Sadly, literally everything I purchased was mediocre. Of the $100+ I've spent on meat and produce at this market, there's not one single item that I could recall specifically. The goods here are literally forgettable. To be fair, I haven't tried everything. As a nonprofit worker, I could never afford to. Maybe the goat's really good... I'd love to try the prosciutto, too. I won't likely ever find out unless I get one hell of a raise.
I really miss the farmers markets back home in Western New York. Up there a farmer's stand would generally offer better quality and/or better prices than the local grocery stores. I'm seeing high costs and minimal artistry* in Bloomingdale. To me, this market seems to be specializing in ideologies... and they're very, very expensive.
*excluding the bread vendor... those loaves look amazing (i just haven't had the chance to try one, as I've been cooking for a gluten-free eater) -
Review from Sean M.
10/13/2010
While I like going to the large, bustling destination farmers markets like Dupont, I reserve my greatest affection for small, neighborhood markets like Bloomingdale (and 14th & U, my personal favorite). Bloomingdale, (Sundays from 10-2) and 14th & U (Saturdays from 9-1) have the same market manager and a number of the same vendors so whenever I venture over to Bloomingdale from my U Street neighborhood, I enjoy seeing familiar faces as well as other folks who are passionate about their produce.
Our typical M.O. is to arrive at the market about half an hour before closing just because that's our weekend pace, so the fact that Bloomingdale goes until 2 means we can really take our time! Some things might be sold out, but you can also score some great deals as the farmers do not want to go home with anything. On my most recent trip I particuarly enjoyed bantering with a farmer who sells her beets with their greens attached and keeps the bunches in water so that the greens were vibrant and not at all wilted. I love to eat all kinds of greens and love buying beets, turnips, and kohlrabi with their greens attached, which is a two for one deal as far as I'm concerned!
The Bloomingdale FM is in a perfect location right in front of Big Bear Cafe which gets rather crowded on market days, but is a required stop as long as you don't want anything as heretical as skim milk in your latte. I like the market's vendors and scope and highly recommend a visit some Sunday for those who want to experience a more local, neighborhood flavor to the farmers' market experience.Listed in: Farmers Markets and Farm…
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Review from britaini c.
Washington, DC
9/5/2011 1 photo
Having a local farmer's market is great. You don't have to deal with the "tourists" at Dupont and you actually run into your neighbors. The vendors cover all the basics, would be great to have more but I never leave wanting of anything. the prices are comparable to other farmer's markets.
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Review from Julie H.
Irvine, CA
9/28/2009
The Bloomingdale Farmer's Market is my local farmer's market and I'm smitten.
Though it's half the size of the largest farmer's markets in the DC area the Bloomingdale Farmer's Market still packs a punch. All the usual suspects can be found - fresh dairy, meat/poultry, baked goods, and fresh produce, fresh produce, fresh produce.
I do my best to plan out meals before I visit as I'm otherwise tempted to just go crazy ("Peaches! For everyone" and "Oooh, how much eggplant can we fit in a bag?!") but even if you forget to come with recipes in mind the vendors and the info booth also keep free recipe printouts handy, and there's usually a cooking demo showcasing what's in season.
And the info booth? It's nothing short of amazing. In addition to the recipes, you know how you usually forget to bring cash to the farmer's market? They have an "ATM" service - for $2 (which goes towards market administering) you can withdraw as much money as you want. The trick - you get your money in market tokens that are good for the duration of the market (until November) that can be used at any of the vendors. If you buy something that rings in under $5 the vendors will give you change. Pretty sweet deal.
Located in front of Big Bear Cafe and with the lazy-Sunday perfect hours of 10am-2pm you can be sure to find me at the Bloomingdale Farmer's Market every weekend. -
Review from April N.
Washington, DC
6/27/2010
Hours are 10-2 on Sundays only. That is too small a time frame! Today was the third time I didn't make it because of that. Anyone know if they're considering expanding to Saturday as well?
Otherwise I love it: small but lots of options. I'm vegetarian and steered clear of the ominous white coolers full of dead animal flesh; made a beeline for a mountain of tomatoes, which were, I SWEAR, less expensive than if I had purchased at the Safeway. It is too easy to spend $12 on four Safeway tomatoes. Bring bags if you can, and a tupperware or clamshell for the spinach/arugula/mesclun greens. One stand had vegan cookies; there were a bunch of people though so I skipped that one. Big Bear cafe is right there and was PACKED the last time I went. -
Review from Ashley F.
Oakland, CA
7/3/2008
What an oasis of friendliness in the harshness that is DC living. I took the metro down from CH to Shaw (ok ok...it was a hot day and I really didn't want to walk) and strolled down R Street to be invited into a lovely, little, uncrowded farmer's market. I was waiting for a friend, so I stopped at the Big Bear to grab some Iced Tea. Needless to say, the BB is one of the coolest coffee shops in the area -- but that is for another post.
Onto the market -- beautiful everything! Everyone who was selling their fruits of their labor (literally and figuratively) were so friendly -- I almost felt like I was extracted from the cold, harsh moods of the typical DCers into a good ol' Southern family.
Onto the goods -- items being sold included: fruits such as deLICIous strawberries, peaches and apples. A small carton of s'berries was only $2, and they were most definitely fresh, sweet and juicy. Meats such as lamb, pork, bacon and assorted sausages. To say it was a real-life sausage fest would be an understatement. Coolers upon coolers of freshly-packed raw meat lined R Street and for most meats you are able to pick your poison yourself. I picked up two little lamb chops to try out, running me around $12, which is not bad considering their freshness and void of any crazy chemicals.
There is of course a large assortment of vegetables, all in season, from corn to baby eggplant (both which I purchased) to okra to broccoli to Lord knows what else. Fresh flowers are sold by one vendor, which I can imagine were picked from an amazing field of wild flowers.
Lastly -- BreadLine also sets up shop there with amazing baguettes, foccaccia and probably the best damn corn muffin you will ever taste.
All in all, a lovely small little market that will give you the personal attention that you won't receive at Eastern Market. There is even a guy grilling the meats and sticking them on little slices of Baguettes to sample -- I wonder if he noticed I walked by three times to snag one of those???
I'm holding at four stars because I wish there were more tents and more people selling! While it fulfilled my needs for that particular moment, I hope there is more selection in the future.
MMM mmm MMM...two thumbs up for the Bloomingdale FM! -
Review from Christopher C.
Washington, DC
10/21/2009
Second time's a charm. The first attempt at a farmers market in the neighborhood at the corner of North Capitol and Florida fell flat, but you know what they say: location, location, location. The May to November Bloogmindale Farmer's market, now in its third year, gets a lot of great synergy from its location next to the Big Bear Cafe. The fact that it's hours (10-2pm) are not too early, is a bonus.
Ranging from 7-10 vendors, the market makes up in substance what it lacks in raw numbers: pasta and sauces, lamb, beef, pork, goat and chicken, eggs, fruits and veg (some organic), bread, cheese, and even flowers. Yes, you're gonna pay more for it than you do at Safeway/Giant/Harris Teeter (and maybe even Whole Foods), but you can sleep soundly knowing that you bought local and minimized your carbon footprint.Listed in: My Neighborhood - Eckington
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Review from Corina M.
Washington, DC
6/17/2010
I'm from Seattle, remember? So I'm used to being able to get fresh produce and such year-round at the Pike Place Market; moving to the east coast was a bit of culture shock for me.
So I was really excited when I discovered that there would be a summer farmers' market within walking distance, and waited with bated breath for the opening date. And yay! I love them!
It's a smallish farmers' market with a wide variety of cool stuff - vegan baked goods as well as non-vegan artisan bread, berries and vegetables galore, jams (both sweet and savory) and cooking demos, artisan cheeses (some aged / washed in cider or beer), gelatto (my fave - blood orange sorbet!), herb and vegetable starts for your own garden, flowers, fresh eggs, organic meats, and accordion duets.
It's tucked in between a triangle of grass (formed by Florida, First, and R Sts NW) and the Big Bear Cafe, which sets up an outdoor hose / sprinkler, and you see little kids cooling off there all day. (Well, at least from 10 am to 2 pm!) We always go out of our way to have cash when we go, but I just discovered that they have a system by which you can use your card to get some tokens that you can use there in lieu of cash. Wish I'd known THAT before!
All the folks involved are friendly, everyone offers samples and will chat with you about their produce or how to prepare some odd bit you've found (like squash blossoms) or anything else you care to discuss. I often get recipes from their Facebook posts specific to the stuff that I picked up there, and also links to relevant issues.
Go! Go! Go! And, of course, once you're all tuckered out, you can have a latte in Big Bear's lovely little garden. It's a regular part of our Sundays now. -
Review from David S.
Washington, DC
4/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love this farmers market. It's in my neighborhood and it feels very community oriented. It's also close to Big Bear and there are lots of high quality goods to be purchased and consumed.
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Review from Dee H.
5/31/2008
Every Sunday between 10am and 2pm they set up shop and give you a great selection of locally grown fruits, meats, breads and plants. Smaller and less crowded than the other markets, but it's worth a sunday stroll thru to pick up some lamb, fresh sage and fruit for a wholesome weekend dinner . They also do cooking demos so you too can learn how to cook from someone else besides Rachel Ray and Emeril... Worth a look-see if you're around the area. It's from late april till late october, so take advantage while in the summer of love!
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Review from Sandra M.
Newburg, PA
8/10/2009
First, let me preface by saying I am one of the vendors at this farmers market. I sell at two other markets (one in DC and one in PA) and I've got to say that the BFM has one of the nicest mixes of customers and other vendors of any market I've ever done. I love doing my own shopping at this market and the coffee & food at the Big Bear Cafe next door ROCKS.
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Review from Aisha M.
Washington, DC
12/3/2008
It's December so no more farmers market. This place a good selection of your basic needs. Nothing too exotic going on here. Also they have bread line breads. This was a great way for we to get a little exercise in and make sure I have my five a day.
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Review from Nicole G.
Washington, DC
7/14/2009
Love a good farmers market as I am from the garden area of the "garden state". Everyone is friendly, you can find all of the fixings for your Sunday dinner whether your a carnivore, a vegetarian or vegan plus you are supporting local growers. I can walk around the corner to the market so I'm a bit bias, but I do think it is worth a visit during the season.
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Review from Erika R.
Washington, DC
Updated - 8/25/2009
This is for the Pasta, Jam, and sauce vendor at the market called The Copper Pot. I had to go look on my packages to find the name.Other farmers markets he can be found at are here: http://www.copperpotfo.... Also the Gnocchi I bought were fabulous. The Chef/Owner is extremely helpful!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/23/2009
Nom. Nom. Nom. This is probably the closest farmers market to my apartment (20 minutes walk), and I… Read more »
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Review from Brandon N.
Washington D.C., DC
3/20/2011
I've been a patron of the Bloomingdale Farmers Market since it first opened and I love it! It's relatively small and I have gotten to know my vendors quite well, to the point they point out from one week to the next if they saw me the week previous. I love the quality of the products (Reid's Orchard, Truck Patch, Pandora, etc.) and the basic layout is perfect for me. I am familiar enough with what everyone offers that when the market is open, I can get most everything there. I go to the supermarket once every month maybe, as opposed to once a week during the rest of the year. I am also a fan of their little debit card booth, where you can buy wooden coins for the market on your card for a $2 charge that goes to support the WIC/food stamp program at the market. That is community at work. And props to Big Bear for serving as a sort of hub on the Sundays the market is around. I know they benefit what with the influx of business and all, but they seem to operate incredibly well given that there is an open market just in front of their storefront once a week.
I do feel the timeframe is a little short, but I understand why vendors wouldn't want to spend another hour in the morning and in the afternoon, considering the traffic for the market is not quite as big as in other parts of the city. It would be easy to make the argument that it's just lost revenue for them.
Love this market and hope it sticks around for the foreseeable future! -
Review from Min B.
Washington, DC
2/3/2010
Love this place! Our fav place to get fruit, lamb and baked goods!!! Great conversations as well. No need to have cash in hand, since you can purchase wooden "coins" with your credit card, that you can use to pay for your purchases.
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Review from Christine E.
Washington, DC
8/17/2009
Grass-fed, antibiotic-free meat, check. Fresh-made cheeses, check. An amazing assortment of vegetables (including fresh artichokes), check. An assortment of all the types of fruit available at that moment, check. An ATM, in case you run out of cash, check.. What else could you ask for in a farmer's market? It's small, cute, and friendly. Everyone says goodmorning on the street on the way there and everyone will at least smile at you. So far, this is the friendliest place I have been to in DC- and it has the best food.
