Where to Buy Local Food During the Pandemic

Eight months of living in a pandemic and global health crisis has taught us that our local food system is resilient. Last March, both the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Governor Hogan declared that Maryland's farmers markets are an essential business and can remain open during the pandemic. Over the course of the 2020 season, farmers market managers have nimbly adjusted location, spacing, and operations. Farmers have modified their stand layout, pivoted to pre-orders, and hired more staff. Last but not least, shoppers have done their part to follow the new rules with patience and grace and continue showing up and shopping.

If your local farmers market is closing for the season, there are still ways for you to turn to local foodways and to prioritize short food chains when feeding your family. This interactive directory of food resources for direct sales, a joint project of Future Harvest, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and Delmarva Grown, includes farmers markets, farms and wineries, and farm stands.

Are you a farmer or agricultural producer, and you’d like to be included in this resource? Fill out this form.