Find a farmers market
How to shop a market without feeling like you are doing it wrong
Go early for selection, late for deals. The best tomatoes leave in the first hour. Vendors would rather discount at 1:00 than haul product home.
Walk the whole market first. Prices and quality vary stall to stall, and the same crop can be two weeks apart in ripeness between growers.
Bring bags and small bills. Most vendors take cards now, but cash moves the line faster and avoids card minimums.
Buy what is abundant. Whatever is stacked high is in season, at peak, and at its cheapest.
Ask what needs to be used first. Some things want eating today, and a vendor will tell you.
Federal nutrition benefits go further at a market
Maryland Market Money matches federal nutrition benefits dollar for dollar, up to $20 per person per day at participating markets, farm stands, and CSAs. Spend $20 in benefits, receive $20 in additional tokens.
Benefits matched:
SNAP / EBT
SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) and Pandemic or Disaster EBT
FMNP, the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, for seniors and WIC participants
WIC Fruit & Vegetable Benefit (WIC-CVV/B)
Matched funds cover fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, baked goods, vegetable plants, jams, pickles, syrup, and honey. Participating locations are called Food Access Points, and the daily cap can vary by location. The Maryland Department of Agriculture market directory shows which markets accept which programs.
Markets in Charles County
La Plata Farmers Market — keeping Southern Maryland agricultural traditions going since 1978.
Where: the parking lots behind the Charles County Courthouse complex. For GPS, use 209 Washington Ave., La Plata, MD 20646.
2026 season: Saturdays April 4 through November 28; Wednesdays April 8 through August 26
Hours: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Contact: 301-966-7473, LPFMmanager@gmail.com
Bryans Road Farmers Market — a rotating mix of local vendors with farm-fresh produce and locally produced goods, organized through the Canopy Group. Days and hours are not published on the county listing, so check their page before you go.
Waldorf Farmers Market — focused on local, fresh produce and supporting the Southern Maryland farm community. Hours vary by season; the MDA directory is the most reliable place to confirm current days, hours, and which benefit programs are accepted.