Farmers markets are in full swing for summer season

Tag : herb varieties garlic chives
Every weekend, vendors work quickly to help their customers,tallying totals and bagging produce while chatting with new orfamiliar faces.
One vendor, Jim Crebs, owner of Tomatoes Etc. Produce Farm inWestminster, whose steady stream of customers never seemed to end,sold spring onions, fresh garlic and shallots, radishes, more herbpots than can be listed, and fresh spring mix salad on a recentSaturday.
‘‘The spring mix is the most popular,” Crebssaid, as he filled a stainless steel bowl with the mix for acustomer.
‘‘Flowers OK?” Crebs asked, referring to thesmall vibrant flowers that peppered the mix, adding a colorful popto the green and purple leaves.
Crebs' formidable collection of herb pots included purple basil,rosemary, thyme, chives and something called ‘‘sweetherb,” which boasted being ‘‘sweeter than sugarcane.” They sat next to several different varieties of pepperplants, more herbs and strawberry plants.
The radishes quickly sold out and the bucket of spring mixconstantly needed to be replenished from a cooler behind the table.
‘‘All this stuff was picked yesterday,” Crebssaid. ‘‘That's why it's so fresh.”
While the majority of vendors stock tables and displays with freshproduce, others, such as Libby Kline, stood behind a table withbags of fresh popped popcorn.
‘‘This is our first season [at the market],”Kline said.
She and her husband, Dave, recently started a popcorn business indowntown Frederick called The Popcorn Man's Gourmet Popping Corn.
They have been in business for six months, and their 16 popcornflavors include blue raspberry, butter, cinnamon and best-sellerchocolate.
A common sight for regular shoppers at the West Frederick Market isDanny Rohrer's Meats of Boonsboro, whose single line was 15 peoplelong on a recent weekend.
One customer, Robert Johnson of Frederick, waited in line to pickup sausage.
‘‘Either me or my wife comes every week,” Johnsonsaid. Johnson brought back an empty egg carton from the weekbefore. He brings them back because he says that it is better tobring them back than to throw them away and have them end up in agarbage dump.
‘‘It keeps the environment right,” he said.
The biggest set-up at the West Frederick market belongs to ScenicView Orchards whose truck delivers produce from the farm inSabillasville. With three tents and seven tables full of freshstrawberries, spinach, spring onions and five varieties of applesamong other things, the area stays busy.
South Mountain Creamery’s truck and two tables attracted astream of customers returning glass bottles and buying fresh milk,cheese, butter and eggs.
Randy Sowers went back to his truck again and again as he retrievedgallon and half-gallon bottles of milk. On the tables were binsfull of ice and packaged cheese, as well as some bolognas and othermeats.
‘‘I'm usually not this busy,” Sowers said.‘‘People are afraid it's going to rain, sothey’re here early.”
The scene is familiar at farmers markets across the county. Withnine operating most days each week until autumn, Frederick Countyresidents have options for variety and location from Brunswick toThurmont and multiple points in between.
Frederick County farmers’ markets
Brunswick Farmers' MarketHistoric Downtown Brunswick1-4 p.m.,Sundays, June through October
Emmitsburg Farmers' Market302 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg3-6:30 p.m.,Fridays, June 20 through Oct. 17
Everedy Square & Shab Row Farmers' Marketintersection of Eastand East Church streets, Frederick3-6 p.m., Thursdays, June 5through Oct. 30
Farmers' Market at the NCI-Fort DetrickBuilding 549, Sultan StreetParking Lot, Fort Detrick11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Tuesdays, June 17through Oct. 28
The Great Frederick Fair Farmers' MarketGreat Frederick Fairgrounds, 797 E. Patrick St., Frederick8 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturdaysyear-round
Middletown Farmers' MarketChrist Reformed U.C.C., South ChurchStreet across from the firehouse, Middletown3-6 p.m., Thursdays,June 26 through Sept. 25
Thurmont Mainstreet Farmers' MarketThurmont Carnival Grounds,Boundary Ave., Thurmont8 a.m.-11 a.m., Saturdays, July 19 throughAug. 30
Walkersville Farmers' MarketHeritage Farm Park, 9224 DevilblissBridge Road, Walkersville4-7 p.m., Wednesdays, June 4 through Sept.24
West Frederick Farmers' Market110 Baughman's Lane, behind MedicalCenter, Frederick10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturdays, May 10 through Nov. 22