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.

FOUNDING FARMERS REVIEW - VIDEO RESTAURANT REVIEW

Join me for a snowy Saturday night trip to Founding Farmers at Park Potomac, in this video review.

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.

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!

NEW FARMERS MARKET IN BETHESDA - LITTLE FALLS PARKWAY FARM MARKET

Bethesda's exploding farmers market scene has detonated again.  Another new player has entered town, just outside of downtown Bethesda.

The Little Falls Parkway Farm Market is in the parking lot on - where else - Little Falls Parkway, just past the intersection with Arlington Road.

The market will be open Fridays from 2-7 PM, and Saturdays from 9 AM-7 PM.  These hours are great if you are one who can't get up - for one reason or another! - early Saturday or Sunday morning for the bigger markets downtown.

What really gets my attention here, is that this market had Baugher's produce from Westminster, MD.  I remember their orchard and restaurant in Westminster, and this is a first  (for me, at least) to have Baugher's selling in Bethesda.

DOWNTOWN BETHESDA RESIDENTS AND WORKERS: THERE MAY BE $5 WAITING FOR YOU IN THE LOBBY!

The hunt is on to find $5 in Bethesda FreshFarm bucks in downtown Bethesda.

Some apartment/condo residents report finding these FreshFarm flyers, with $5 in "FreshFarm Markets Dollars" attached, in their buildings' lobbies.

Redeemable only at this Saturday's and next Saturday's markets on Norfolk Avenue by Veterans Park, $5 is a fairly generous amount.

So check your lobbies!  Maybe they are in some office buildings, too.  It's the Willy Wonka Purple Ticket, and worth grabbing if you can find one.

Have you found the Purple Ticket around downtown Bethesda?  What do you recommend spending the 5 bucks on at Saturday's market?

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.

NEW FRESH YOGURT BAR AT FANCY CAKES BY LESLIE

Bethesda Row has many dessert options, ranging from cupcakes and ice cream to crepes and gelato.

But what if you are still sticking to that New Year's resolution of a healthier diet?

Fancy Cakes by Leslie on Elm Street has the answer:  a brand-new Fresh Yogurt Bar inside their shop!

Photo:  Fancy Cakes by Leslie

Even if you're just waiting to pick up a cake, stop by the bar.  Don't be expecting mass-produced, packaged yogurt - these flavors are made locally from milk produced by grass-fed cows.  That's right, locavores, it's time to buy local yogurt.  In addition, there are 3 Greek yogurts, which are the current fad in yogurt.

Flavors include maple, raspberry and chocolate, and toppings are available to customize your treat.

Stop by Fancy Cakes by Leslie today and find out how fresh yogurt can be!

Fancy Cakes by Leslie, 4939 Elm Street.  301-652-9390.

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.

FRESHFARM BETHESDA MARKET

Today's Bethesda FRESHFARM Market will be held from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Norfolk Avenue, by Veterans Park.

Chef Domenico Cornacchia of Assaggi at Bethesda Row will return for a cooking demonstration at 10:30 AM.

FRESHFARM is recommending the fresh, sugar snap peas at today's market, and the Strawberry Lemonade from Garden Path Farm.

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.

BETHESDA CENTRAL FARM MARKET DEALS AND SPECIALS

Here's the latest news on today's Bethesda Central Farm Market, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, at Bethesda Elementary School on Arlington Road (Please park at Bethesda Library or St. Elmo Ave. Public Garage, if you can walk a block; otherwise park in the lot at Bethesda ES):

ASPARAGUS ASPARAGUS ASPARAGUS

Two different ways to cook the farm-fresh asparagus available this morning at BCFM:

Grilled, wrapped in prosciutto from Meatcrafters (also at the market!).

Then, Chef Frederik de Pue will perform a live demonstration at 11:00 AM, of his Asparagus a la Flamande!  You can pick up the main ingredients at the market (asparagus, Walnut Farms eggs) and make it at home.

Heirloom Kitchen specials today include Tomato-Leek Soup with white wine and fresh herbs, and Tomato Chutney for appetizers and recipes.

Pick up handcrafted cherrywood utensils and table ceramics for Mother's Day gifts - get your shopping out of the way before brunch today!

Once at the market, you're walking distance from brunch at restaurants like Chef Tony's, Guardado's, Rock Bottom, The Parva and many more!

Don't forget - BCFM is dog friendly, so bring man's (or woman's) best friend on a leash to the market.

Improve your health, and help preserve farmland in our region by keeping those John Deeres and Farmalls busy, when you fill up your bags with fresh, local produce today at BCFM.

Happy Sunday, locavores!

FRESHFARM BETHESDA MARKET DEBUTS SATURDAY, MAY 5!

Downtown Bethesda, are you ready for twice the locavore bounty this weekend?

Saturday will be the 2012 debut of the popular FRESHFARM Bethesda Market, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Norfolk Avenue by Veterans Park.

If you're a farmers market veteran, you've already been loading up on healthy, local produce and prepared foods at the also-popular Bethesda Central Farm Market.  That market is Sundays from 9-1 at Bethesda Elementary School on Arlington Road.

Can you shop both markets every week?  YES!  One of the biggest reasons, is that they each have their own roster of farmers and vendors.  So you are just doubling down on good health, and preserving local farmland from nasty development, every weekend!

Who'll be at the FRESHFARM MARKET Saturday?

Atwaters - Catonsville - creating fabulous baked goods from local, farm-fresh ingredients

Black Oak Cut Flowers - Reisterstown/Edgewater - family-grown fresh flowers

Firefly Farms - Accident, MD - Natural, artisan cheese produced with milk from four family-run goat farms within 30 miles of their creamery; winner of 43 national and international awards

Garden Path Farm - Newburg, PA - The Kauffman family produces the finest meats from grass-fed animals in the valleys of Southern Pennsylvania

Knouse Fruitlands - Arendstville, PA - 3 generations of fruit growers!  30 apple varieties, 20 peaches, 15 nectarines, 5 apricots, sweet cherries, plums, and pluots.  Sweet corn later this summer!!

Pleitez Produce - Montross, VA - I know where this is!  It's in Westmoreland County, not far from Colonial Beach.  Family-owned, family-operated

Spiral Path Farm - Loysville, PA - Family farm since 1978.  Food Safety Certified (always great to know).  Certified organic.  CSA program with weekly pick-up available at FRESHFARM Bethesda Market!

Spring Gap Mountain Creamery - Paw Paw, WV - Are you "crackers about cheese?"  SGMC makes West Virginia Blue, Jersey Gold (Gouda), Shenandoah Sunrise (tomme) and Sophie's Select (Cheddar) from milk produced by pasture-raised Jersey cows in wild, wonderful West Virginia!

Three Little Pigs - Washington, D.C. - That's not a misprint!  Local butcher producing high-quality charcuterie and salumi without chemicals and artificial preservatives.  They source animals - and even salt! - locally

Wild Rose Soap Company - Gaithersburg - Luxury body products from locally-sourced materials.  Soaps, lotions, even their beeswax comes from local bees!  Cupcake Bath Bombs, shaving soap for men and women, and even a handmade, olive oil baby soap

Enjoy the market!  And then enjoy brunch steps away at Black's Bar and Kitchen, BlackFinn, The Parva, and so many other restaurants!

Convenient parking in the garage on Woodmont Avenue right next to Black's.

Happy farm market weekend!

MOVIE STARS AT

BETHESDA CENTRAL

FARM MARKET

Farmers Market Rolls Out the Red Carpet for

Patrons at Bethesda ES this Morning

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

This is Week 3 of Bethesda Central Farm Market's 2012 season at Bethesda Elementary School. Here are a few helpful advisories from BCFM about today's market:

* Please park at Bethesda Library on Arlington Road, or in Public Parking Garage 40 on St. Elmo Avenue, and walk to the market, if you can do so.

* Those who cannot walk, or refuse to, are welcome to park in the Bethesda ES lot. BCFM urges you to drive cautiously, out of concern for children who are attending events inside the school during market hours.

* Starting this morning, those who park at the library or garage WILL NOT HAVE TO CARRY THEIR PURCHASES BACK TO THEIR CAR (unless they wish to!). BCFM is offering a new Valet Bag service. Simply leave your bags at the info tent, walk back to your car, drive to the inner parking area, and valets will bring your bags to the car.

At today's market, Pong's Orchards, Sababa Falafel, Fresh Crunch and Bethesda/Whole Foods favorite Cava make their 2012 debuts at the market.

SPECIAL OF THE WEEK:

-------------------------------------

From All Things Olive - A bottle of Robbins Family Farm Ascolano, and your choice of Katz Sparkling Wine Vinegar or Red Wine Trio Vinegar. This premium $37 package is yours today for only $30. Quantities limited!

If it's unusual new flavors you're looking for to add a unique twist to old recipes, check out the new, organic Orange Chili Mustard and organic Asparagus Sauce(!!) from Two Acre Farm.

There will be plenty of fresh baked goods and local cheeses for picnics in the parks of downtown Bethesda available at the market.

Dogs are welcome!

Oh, and about those movie stars... No, George Clooney won't be there. But some other movie stars from local farms will!

This Tuesday evening at 9:00 PM on MPT is the premiere of The Maryland Harvest. Featured in this new documentary on "Maryland farms and the chefs who love them," are BCFM vendors: Cottingham Farm, Liberty Delight Farms and Springfield Farm! Get their autographs, and load up on fresh, local, sustainable and healthy foods today!

Music will be provided by the BCC HS Jazz Trio at today's market.

So stop by, and help preserve farmland in our region with every purchase!