By Hannah Smith

A Wednesday morning is not complete in College Park without the weekly farmers market. 

The market takes place outside Tawes Hall at 3900 Campus Drive, College Park, MD, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. every Wednesday. The University of Maryland opened the farmers market on Sept. 4 of this year. It will stay open until Nov. 20. 

“I love coming here. I come almost every Wednesday on my way back from classes. It’s where I get most of my fresh produce,” said senior communications major Ashley Suitt.

“I’m not sure where else to go when they close for the season. I didn’t know they were closing mid November. I like getting my fruit from farmers markets, it always seems a lot more fresher than in stores,” she added.

The market sells a wide variety of local goods, from produce, jewelry, wine and coffee.

Their vendors include Maryland Dairy, Country Vittles from Critter Hill Farm, Cove Point Winery, RavenHook Bakehouse, McCleaf’s Orchards, Randalia Beehive, Beads by Bettina, Valencia’s Produce, Pinkava Coffee Company and Little Boy Bakery.

One of the vendors, Bryan Choi, opened his store Little Boy Bakery in Elkridge, Maryland. He was a pastry and fine dining chef in New York City before coming to Maryland. 

Little Boy Bakery have been coming to this farmers market for two years now. They sell croissants, macarons, pies and other french pastries. They also make wedding cakes and cater events. Choi said their best selling products are the croissants and macaroons.

“First year it was really quiet for me but the second year I tried to make all new stuff and it’s getting better, really busy,” Choi said. 

The farmers market gives farms and smaller companies the opportunity to spread their brand. It’s not around the corner for everyone. Some businesses drive over four hours to make it to the market. 

McCleaf’s Orchard is another popular vendor that has been coming to the market since it opened eight years ago. They sell a wide range of vegetables and fruit. Their big seller for the fall season is their apples and their homemade apple cider. 

McCleaf’s Orchard is a 6th generation family farm. Their 52 acre farm is located near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania. 

The family farm has a strong commitment to growing food as sustainably as possible. They practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM), minimizing the use of chemicals by reducing destructive insects in the orchards, while at the same time maintaining a health quality product, according to the McCleaf’s Orchard website.

“Throughout the year we have strawberries, blueberries, peaches, cherries, veggie-wise anything from kale to tomatoes, eggplant, squash, we also sell mushrooms too,” said a McCleaf’s Orchard employee.

On average, McCleaf’s Orchard said they sell to over 500 customers each week. 

If you’re looking for fresh produce, homemade candles, desserts, wine or fresh baked goods, the UMD farmers market has it all. 

The market will reopen in the Spring of 2020.