Bethesda Central Farm Market to return to Bethesda ES this weekend

The Bethesda Central Farm Market will return to its familiar, longtime location at the Bethesda Elementary School at 7600 Arlington Road in downtown Bethesda, starting this Sunday, October 16, 2022. It had to temporarily move this summer, due to the construction at the school. The move lasted longer than expected, as the market was originally supposed to return in July. Hours for the market are 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM.

Bethesda Central Farm Market relocates through July 17, 2022

Starting today, the Bethesda Central Farm Market is temporarily relocating to the Montgomery Farm Women's Cooperative Market at 7155 Wisconsin Avenue. The reason is construction on Bethesda Elementary School that is being performed over the summer break. Bethesda Central has secured use of the public parking lot located behind the Farm Women's Market, and there will be free parking during the market, which runs from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM on Sundays. Note that there will be no compost drop-off at the market while it is at this temporary location.

Bethesda Central Farm Market new coronavirus policies start Sunday

Central Farm Markets instituted special coronavirus protocols (see above photo) at its area farmers markets three weeks ago. The organization says 99% of its customers followed the new rules with no difficulty, but that the remaining 1% who did not are still putting people at risk. As a result, an additional set of policies will be in place starting this Sunday at the Bethesda Central Farm Market at Bethesda Elementary School 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM.

The new policies are as follows:

1) Pre-orders are strongly suggested. 

2) Patrons may only come in and exit at one point now - you will enter on one side and exit on the other side of the INFO TENT. We will have it marked in chalk- the Wilson Lane entrance will be locked and you will not be able to enter or exit at the end of the market where the pizza and crepe stand is located. There will be a security guard at that end.

3) Only 25 patrons will be welcomed into the market at any one time. When one person leaves another patron will be allowed in.

4) Please only have one member of the family enter the market unless you have a small child with you.

5) Patrons will only have 15 minutes to get their items.

6) Only 1 patron at a time at a stand or at a cash register (if there is more than one cash register) and patrons waiting in line will have to stand 6' apart.

7) We strongly suggest that you wear masks and gloves for your protection and ours.

8) We love dogs too, but at this time patrons may not enter the market with their dogs. We have asked this for three weeks and now we are not going to let you in if you bring your dog. You are more than welcome to attach their leash to the chain link fence while you shop.

BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET CLOSED SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30

The Bethesda Central Farm Market, ordinarily held Sunday mornings at Bethesda Elementary School, is cancelled for this Sunday, November 30, due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. It will resume weekly operation the following Sunday, December 7.

CHEF CATHAL ARMSTRONG TO SIGN COOKBOOK AT BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET ON JULY 27

Cathal Armstrong is best known in the DC area for his local restaurant mini-empire, including the highly-rated Restaurant Eve, The Majestic and Society Fair. This year, Armstrong released a cookbook, My Irish Table: Recipes from the Homeland and Restaurant Eve, co-written with food writer David Hagedorn. The Irish-born Armstrong will appear next Sunday, July 27, at the Bethesda Central Farm Market, from 10-12 AM, and sign copies of the book.

Covering everything from the standard Shepherd's Pie, to upscale restaurant dishes like Kerrygold butter-poached lobster with parsnips, My Irish Table holds 130 recipes in all. Armstrong teaches from both the traditions of his native country, and from the techniques he acquired working in some of Washington's finest restaurants.

The Bethesda Central Farm Market is held weekly at Bethesda Elementary School, at 7600 Arlington Road, in downtown Bethesda.

BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET CANCELED SUNDAY FEB. 16

This Sunday's Bethesda Central Farm Market is canceled, due to poor conditions in the Bethesda Elementary School parking lot where the market is held weekly. The market will be held next Sunday, February 23, as scheduled (barring another blizzard).

BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET SEASON OPENING TODAY

The full-scale Bethesda Central Farm Market returns to Bethesda ES (at Arlington and Old Georgetown Roads) today from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM.

Expect to find your favorite vendors, but new ones will appear as the season goes forward.

Highlights of today's market include:

Music by Heavy Traffic Ahead

Pure Light Candles: Individually hand poured 100% natural soy wax candles with fragrances.

Sweet Nuttings: Try their CookiNuts, a variety of gluten-free, dairy-free treats.

Stonyman Gourmet Farmer: Farm-fresh cheeses.

Heirloom Kitchen: Spring Sweet Pea with fresh herbs & lemon; Butternut Squash with apples, sage & white wine (last batch until fall). New Scarlet Runner Bean, with tomato & fresh rosemary.

Chouquette: Enjoy 20%-off Chocolate of the Month for all of April. Try Chouquette's Spicy Caramels before you buy them today.

SWEET FARM SAUERKRAUT JOINS BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET

Do you like sauerkraut? I didn't, until I tried one that didn't come out of a tin can!

Yes, a fresh or bagged sauerkraut is a great side dish, and now you can get it from right here in Maryland.

Sweet Farm Sauerkraut made its Bethesda debut last Sunday, and will be back again this Sunday, 9 AM - 1PM at Bethesda ES.

Sweet Farm is in Woodsboro, in Frederick County. Their vegetable krauts are naturally fermented, and made with only organic vegetables, unrefined sea salt, and spices.

So until we finally get a German restaurant in Bethesda, at least you can get real sauerkraut at Bethesda Central Farm Market.

FRESH CHESAPEAKE BAY OYSTERS AT BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET TODAY

Chesapeake Gold Oysters returns to the Bethesda Central Farm Market from 9 AM to 1 PM, at Bethesda ES on Arlington Road.  Chesapeake Gold is one of several companies helping to replenish a healthy oyster supply in the Bay, in Fishing Creek, MD.

Are these oysters good enough for you?  They're good enough for two of the top oyster spots in the District, Old Ebbitt Grill and Hank's Oyster Bar.

Oysters will be available today freshly shucked at the market, or to take home, if you prefer.

BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET CANCELED THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday's Bethesda Central Farm Market has been canceled.  The market will return the following Sunday, October 28, for a special Halloween market.

BCFM is inviting patrons to a "combined market" at the Mid-Pike farm market this Saturday, 9:00 AM to 2 PM at Mid-Pike Plaza on Rockville Pike.

BAKE BETHESDA A PIE CONTEST IS HOURS AWAY AT BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET

While Labor Day weekend is a time many relax, Bethesda Central Farm Market is offering even more than usual at today's market.

Stop by between 9 AM and 1 PM at 7600 Arlington Road (Bethesda ES) to pick up supplies - like premium, organic ketchup and mustard - for your holiday cookout.

The headlining event is the annual Bake Bethesda a Pie Contest from 11 AM-noon.  While Chef Joseph Poupon and Bethesda Magazine food editor Carole Sugarman will handle the professional judging part, you will have a chance to try every pie after the winners are chosen.

Also here today:  Mr. Divabetic, who will be wearing his "world famous fruit suit."  He will be asking your opinion on healthy lifestyles, and you'll be asking him how he got that name, and about his fruit suit, I suppose.

Finally, Bethesda's venerable BCC Rescue Squad will be on hand to give you a free blood pressure check, and with an ambulance customers can tour.

By getting your BP check out of the way, then you can go ahead and cheat at brunch in downtown Bethesda!

BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET NOW TAKING THANKSGIVING TURKEY ORDERS

Gobble, gobble.  Are you ready to talk turkey (as in Thanksgiving turkey) in August?

The Sparks, MD farm that raises natural, hormone/antibiotic-free, free-range turkeys for the market has just begun taking orders.

Bethesdans ready to order Thanksgiving dinner months in advance can fill out a simple online form now.

Springfield Farm Turkeys will be available for pickup at a special edition of the market in downtown Bethesda a couple of days before Thanksgiving.

Are you ready to order your Thanksgiving turkey this early?

What kind of turkey person are you:  fresh or frozen?  Brined or not brined?  Long holiday in the kitchen, or fully-cooked and catered by your grocery store?

SUNDAY MORNING PLANS: BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET, THEN BRUNCH AT BETHESDA ROW

Sunday morning, and nothing to do?  Not anymore!

Your first stop is Bethesda ES on Arlington Road, for the Bethesda Central Farm Market (9 AM-1 PM).  Highlights today?  Vernon's Seafood will have one of my favorites:  Fresh Gulf Shrimp.  At $15 a pound.

Next, visit a special guest at the market, Frederick Cellars.  They'll have Maryland wines.  Unlike most winemakers, they aren't out in the country, but in the city of Frederick.  Here's an intriguing bit of trivia:  their historic winery building is thought to be haunted!  You can't say they're just another wineseller.

Once you've got your perishables home, it's time to enjoy a delicious Sunday brunch at Bethesda Row.

Have you tried Cafe Deluxe's Brioche French Toast, with cinnamon and fresh fruit?

How about a drink (or two) from the Bloody Mary bar at Redwood, where the ingredients - including pickled vegetables - are prepared (and, yes, pickled) in-house?

[Photo: Redwood]

ICE CREAM AT BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET

The newest vendor at Bethesda Central Farm Market  (Sundays, 9-1 at Bethesda ES parking lot) is Moorenko's Ice Cream!

Check out their Corn or Honey Lavender ice creams today.

They also have Cantaloupe, Heirloom Tomato and Wild Blueberry sorbet.

IT'S ALL ABOUT ZE GERMAN SAUSAGE AT BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET TODAY

Today's Bethesda Central Farm Market (9 AM - 1 PM at Bethesda ES) comes to you by way of Germany today.

Meatcrafters will have its newest sausage, Landjaeger.  It is does not contain Jagermeister, but would probably pair well with it!

Instead, Landjaeger is a German Hunter's sausage made with organic beef and pork.  Try a bite of this traditional German snack at the market today.  Then take some home.

Finish off your buy-local Father's Day feast with German potato salad made with 2012's first crop of potatoes from Bending Bridge Farm, and a Peach-Blackberry pie from Westmoreland Berry and Toigo Farms.

BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET SPECIALS

Stop by the Bethesda Central Farm Market - 9 AM to 1 PM today at Bethesda ES - for a chef demonstration by Chef Francois Dionot, of L'Academie de Cuisine!

There will be a Father's Day book-signing by author Paul Stankus.

Today is the debut of the first blueberries of 2012, from Moody Blues Farm in Baltimore County!

Plus, organic ketchup, organic lard for baking and another Boordy Vineyards Maryland wine tasting.

TAKE YOUR BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET BAG WITH YOU THIS SUMMER AND WIN!

It's Sunday morning, and that means its time for the Bethesda Central Farm Market at Bethesda ES, from 9 AM to 1 PM.

You now have one more reason to come out to the market:

The "Where in the World is Your Little Red Bag?" Contest is underway!

Pick up your FREE Little Red Central Farm Market Bag at the Pelican Kitchen and Bath tent.

Take your bag with you this summer, and photograph it in interesting or unusual locations here and abroad.  Then upload your photo, and BCFM Facebook fans will choose a winner in each of 2 categories.

For all the details, and to enter, CLICK HERE!

What's going on at today's market?

The first Garlic Scapes are here.

Another Buy 4, Get 1 FREE special on ground beef from Walnut Hills Farm.

Heirloom Soups has 2 summer vegetable soups with fresh herbs.

A Boordy Vineyards Maryland wine tasting.

Also, Infusion Hot Sauce Company!

Live music by The Nick Mendez and Ted Bazil Duo.

BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET MEMORIAL DAY SPECIALS

Pick up foods for your Memorial Day celebrations today at the Bethesda Central Farm Market, 9-1 at Bethesda ES.

Stop by the info tent to receive your FREE FLAG!

Buy 4 packs of Walnut Hills Farm ground beef for your grilled burgers, and get a 5th pack FREE!

The berries arrive today:  Blueberries, sweet cherries, red raspberries.

First local baby zucchini, squash, snap peas and broccoli.

Buy 4 packs of Meatcrafters sausage, and get a FREE Meatcrafters hat - while they last!

Plus, a Boordy Vineyards wine tasting.

BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET CANCELED THIS SUNDAY

Shocker:  Sunday's Bethesda Central Farm Market has been abruptly canceled.

It turns out that the Bethesda Elementary School parking lot is needed for a school fundraiser, so BCFM and customers are just getting the boot from Montgomery County Government!

BCFM will return as usual to Bethesda ES next Sunday.

This weekend, they invite you to come out to their Saturday, May 19th Pike Central Market (9:00 am to 2:00 pm), located across from the White Flint Metro RED LINE, at the corner of Rockville Pike and Old Georgetown Road, in front of the Toys R Us.

Many favorite Bethesda farmers and vendors will be there!

MIA'S PIZZAS will, too - you don't want to miss that!

Walnut Hill Farm will have their 1st batch of pasture-raised broilers.

So, this weekend, PIKE CENTRAL on Saturday.

Next Sunday, back at Bethesda ES.

MOTHER'S DAY AT BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET

What better way to start Mother's Day than the Bethesda Central Farm Market, 9-1 today at Bethesda Elementary School on Arlington Road.

Wollam Flowers will have fresh local flowers for Mother's Day!

Love and Kindness will have Mother's Day gift baskets starting at $15, and purchases over $40 get 10% off.

Two Acre Farm is bringing organic jams:  Chive Orange Marmalade, Spring Onion Jam, Strawberry Rhubarb jam.  They'll also have organic mustards: Steakhouse, Orange Chili, and Creole flavors.   Spring Onion Jam?  You can't say there weren't any unique products available at the market today!

Heirloom Kitchen will bring their Spicy Carrot-Ginger Soup, which you can serve hot or chilled.  They've got a new Borscht, too:  one made of organic beets, fresh dill and organic yogurt.  And they'll have Lemony Tomato Chutney.

Special deal from Walnut Hills Farms:  Buy 4 packs of ground beef, and get a 5th pack FREE!  Or, buy any roast, and get a FREE pack of ground beef.

Music today at the market will be provided by the BCC HS Jazz Band.

After the market, head over to the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival only one block away on Norfolk Avenue!  Enjoy food from several restaurants like BlackFinn and Haagen Dazs.

FREE! FREE RICE PUDDING for all Moms today at the Fine Arts festival from Yamas Grill.  While supplies last!

Then it will be time for Mother's Day Brunch.

Happy Mother's Day!!