The Crossroads Farmers Market in Takoma Park, Maryland, stands as a vibrant hub, weaving together a diverse tapestry of individuals – families, culinary enthusiasts, neighbors, gardening aficionados, live music lovers, and coffee connoisseurs. Every Wednesday afternoon, this bustling marketplace comes alive, offering a space to savor lunch and procure the freshest ingredients for the week ahead. More than just a market, it’s a community cornerstone, particularly vital for families seeking access to wholesome food and supportive services.
This producers-only market prides itself on showcasing the bounty of local farms, with vendors offering a colorful array of just-picked fruits and vegetables, farm-fresh eggs, golden honey, aromatic coffee, and vibrant flowers and plants. Unique to Crossroads, you’ll also discover Central American culinary treasures like chipilín, alongside tempting prepared foods, engaging food demonstrations and tastings, fun kids’ activities, and lively live music. Adding another layer of community support, the market frequently hosts free health screenings and other seasonal events, reinforcing its commitment to holistic well-being. Emphasizing local sourcing, the produce here travels a mere average of 60 miles from nearby farms, with vendors collectively nurturing 368 acres of farmland dedicated to fresh food production, ensuring peak freshness and minimal environmental impact.
Founded in 2007, Crossroads Farmers Market was born from a clear mission: to make nutritious, healthy food both affordable and readily accessible to the residents of the Takoma/Langley Crossroads community. Recognizing the critical role of nutrition in family well-being, the market has proactively embraced inclusivity by accepting a wide range of federal and state nutrition benefits. These include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, Women, Infants, and Children Fruit and Vegetable Checks (WIC FVC), Senior/WIC FMNP (Farmers Market Nutrition Program) benefits, and Maryland SUN Bucks, designed for families with school-aged children eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
Crossroads Farmers Market holds the distinction of being not only the first farmers market in Maryland to welcome nutrition benefits as payment but also a national pioneer. It launched the groundbreaking “double dollar” incentive program, a testament to its dedication to maximizing food access for underserved communities. This innovative approach effectively doubles the purchasing power of families relying on nutrition assistance.
The market’s commitment to community services extends through its ingenious Fresh Checks program. This initiative empowers eligible shoppers to receive up to $50 in FREE fruits and vegetables every week. This substantial boost enables families to stretch their food budgets significantly, bringing home a greater abundance of fresh, healthy food while simultaneously providing vital support to local farmers and vendors.
Participating in the Fresh Checks program is straightforward. SNAP shoppers can use their Independence Card at the Market Information Tent’s EBT machine. For every dollar spent, Crossroads Market matches it, up to $50 each week, effectively doubling their SNAP benefits for fresh produce. Similarly, shoppers utilizing WIC or Senior FMNP benefits can redeem their benefits directly with the farmers and then receive a matched amount in Fresh Checks, further amplifying their ability to purchase healthy food options. Through these combined efforts, Crossroads Community Services, embodied by the Farmers Market, actively strengthens families by ensuring access to nutritious food and fostering a thriving, inclusive community space.
