At peak right now: Strawberries, Cherries, Blue Crab, Zucchini. Head to a farmers market or your CSA to find them fresh.
Buying local food in Maryland usually starts with one of two questions: do you want to pick what you get, or are you comfortable letting the farm decide? That's the core difference between a farmers market and a CSA, and it's worth thinking through before you commit money or time to either one.
A CSA share means paying at the start of the season, sometimes a few hundred dollars upfront, and then picking up a box each week from late spring through fall, or sometimes year-round if the farm runs a winter share. What goes in the box depends on what came out of the ground that week. In a good week in July you might get tomatoes, sweet corn, basil, and beans. In a slow week in May you might get a lot of kale and some radishes. The tradeoff is that the farm gets cash when they need it most, before the season starts, and you get produce at a price that's usually lower per item than market rates. Farms like One Straw Farm in Baltimore County or Three Part Harmony Farm down in Prince George's County have run CSAs long enough that members know roughly what to expect through the season, even if any given week holds some surprises. The model suits people who cook regularly, can handle some variety in their weekly meals, and don't mind figuring out what to do with kohlrabi.
A farmers market works differently. You show up, you see what's there, and you buy what you want. If you only need one bunch of carrots and a dozen eggs, that's all you take home. There's no commitment beyond the drive and whatever cash you bring. The Saturday morning market at Waverly in Baltimore or the big one in Annapolis at Anne Arundel Medical Center draws enough vendors that you can fill a full week's worth of produce, meat, and dairy from different farms in a single trip. This model suits people with unpredictable schedules, smaller households, or anyone who's just starting out and wants to learn what's available before making a larger financial commitment. You also get to talk to the farmers directly and ask how something was grown, which is useful if you're particular about pesticide use or want to know whether those strawberries were actually picked that morning.
Many Maryland farms run both models at once. A farm might sell CSA shares during the week and then bring surplus product to a Saturday market. Some CSA members also stop by the same farm's market stand to fill in gaps or grab things that weren't in the box. If you've never bought local before, a farmers market is the lower-risk entry point. You can try a few different farms, figure out which ones you like, and if one of them offers a CSA share, you'll already know something about the quality of their food before you hand over a check for the season.
A few producers worth knowing about this week.
Held in the front yard of the Neighborhood Church of Rockville every Saturday from May through mid-October, the Derwood Farmers Market runs rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shoppers along Redland Road can expect local farm produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and handmade soaps alongside live music and kids' activities. It's a compact, community-rooted market that draws a loyal neighborhood crowd in this corner of Montgomery County.
Gaver Farm in Mt. Airy has been a Frederick County fall staple for families who want more than a simple roadside stand. From early September through November 1, the farm opens its pick-your-own apple and pumpkin fields alongside a corn maze, free hayrides, giant slides, and farm animals. The on-site market carries jams and baked goods, making it easy to leave with both a bushel and a few pantry additions.
Dodo Farms has been growing food in the Maryland suburbs for six years, most recently on leased land in Brookeville, and its 2024 move to a 10.42-acre property on Long Corner Road in Mount Airy marks a significant step forward for the operation. With land of their own, the farm is relaunching its CSA, opening up farm visits and tours, and welcoming volunteers for the first time at the new site. If you've been waiting for a Howard County CSA with a community-centered approach, this is a good moment to get on their list.
Deep Run Farm has been growing fruits and vegetables on 235 acres in Hampstead since 1975, making it one of Carroll County's long-established family operations. Their roadside stand on St. Paul Rd is open early summer through October, 9am to 7pm, and their weekly CSA boxes bring that same harvest directly to subscribers. Fresh flower bouquets round out the offerings, and you can also find them at several area farmers markets.
Clint's Cuts has been the go-to deer processing shop for hunters in Frederick County, tucked along Detrick Road between Frederick and Mount Airy. The operation runs 24/7 for drop-off, which matters when you're hauling a deer at odd hours during season. Clint's custom-cuts your animal and guarantees you get your own meat back , not a communal mix , which is the detail that keeps local hunters coming back year after year.
Pasadena Seafood on Fort Smallwood Road has been a go-to carryout spot for Anne Arundel County crab lovers, offering steamed crabs, soft crabs, shrimp, clams, and scallops seven days a week. The setup is straightforward carryout, which suits the crowds who come for the blue crabs rather than the ambiance. If you're heading out toward Curtis Bay or the Patapsco, it's a practical stop with a solid range of local shellfish.
Springfield Farm in Sparks Glencoe raises pasture-based eggs, beef, dairy, and poultry using non-GMO, regenerative practices on their Baltimore County land. You can pick up at their farm store on Yeoho Road or find them every Sunday at the Bethesda Farmers Market. For a full product list or to place an advance order, they welcome emails directly.
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