New Freshfarm Market to Open Saturday -- If the Paperwork Comes Through

Freshfarm Markets is set to open up this Saturday, June 6, in Mount Vernon Triangle, if it can get a public space permit in time.

At its regular monthly meeting last night (June 3), Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6E/Shaw heard the testimony of Reg Godin, Director for Markets and Programs at Freshfarm. He explained Freshfarm Markets had to request last-minute inclusion on the meeting's agenda after it was determined the proposed site of the farmers market was on public land.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia/AgnosticPreachersKid)

The management of the adjoining City Vista building (K and 5th Streets NW) had believed that the land in question was City Vista's property, and therefore the farmers market required no special permit to operate there. After a surveyor corrected the mistaken impression, Freshfarm Markets has had to scramble to get the necessary public space use permits.

"No one knew who was responsible," Godin said.

The market will cover about 2000 square feet and have five tents. It will take place under and around the yellow sculpture (see bottom center of photo above). There will be activities for children and unamplied music.

The ANC voted unanimously to endorse the request for a public space use permit and promised to produce a letter of support promptly. Public space use permits are obtained from the District Department of Transportation (DDOT).

"All of your constituents are looking forward to this," said ANC6E Chair Alexander Padro (Commissioner for district 01)

"Yes, they are," said Commissioner Marge Maceda (district 05)

Once open, the market will be open on Saturday from 10am to 1pm until October 25. According to their website, Freshfarms has ten other farmers markets operating inside the Beltway.

The new market has been developed in cooperation with the Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District.