Thriving

 

One of the few things that can get me out of my house in the heat is the Oakland Mills Farmers’ Market. Held each Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm from May to November, the market lures me out of my air conditioned home for the best foods of the season. 

And may I just say that yesterday was far too hot for this point in the year and I object.

There’s something so beautiful to me to see the Oakland Mills Village Center alive with people. Yesterday was one of those days. A crowd was gathering for an event happening at the ice rink, regular Sunday shoppers at the LAMart, and, of course, the many folks there for the Farmers’ Market.

I’m going to refrain from using the word ‘vibrant’ because, well, some folks in the commercial world have wrestled it to the ground and broken its arm, so to speak. As I consulted the synonym factory, I found the words ‘dynamic’ and ‘thriving’ to have just the right essence for what I was feeling.

It has taken a lot of work to get and keep the market here in Oakland Mills. I don’t know all the history but I do know that Village Manager Sandy Cederbaum has been a huge advocate for the market. I think of her often when I’m filling my bag with fresh strawberries, fragrant basil, or a round loaf of sourdough bread. She believed in the market and its potential to serve both the members of the immediate community and also to draw people from other parts of Columbia. 

The Howard County Farmers Market association has played a big role in continuing to choose the Oakland Mills location year after year. And, of course, the farmers and other local vendors who commit to coming to the market are what makes it sing: the excitement of finding the perfect peach or the most exquisite muffin for Sunday brunch is provided to us by all the people who work to bring them to us.

A wonderful addition to the market is the food truck from Althea’s Almost Famous. Althea Hanson brings delicious Jamaican food and drink as well as adding a bit of music to the mix. If you can’t make it to the market, check out her Facebook page to see where she’ll be next. Wherever it is, it will be worth the trip.

You don’t have to live in Oakland Mills to enjoy our market. It’s quite easy to access from Downtown Columbia via that nifty looking pedestrian/bicycle bridge over Route 29. Or, if you’re bringing the kids, plan for a trip to Laura’s Place playground in Blandair Park as well.

I went home yesterday with strawberries, bacon, and local honey from TLV Tree Farm, a loaf of sourdough from Harvest Rise Bread, and a sack full of Jamaican patties from Althea’s Almost Famous. It was a very good day at the market.