By Viviane Stackhouse
Shoppers could feel festivity in the air as the University of Maryland Farmers Market celebrated its 10 year anniversary with a specialty Holiday Market on Dec. 7.
The holiday market filled Tawes Plaza with familiar vendors and booths, but with a new sense of holiday cheer and celebration. Shoppers took the opportunity to cross gifts off their Christmas shopping lists.
The Testudo mascot stopped by to say hello to shoppers to celebrate the holiday season and the special anniversary. The market information table also offered refreshments and opportunities to win a prize.
Booths included UMD Vintage, Mel’s Munchies, RavenHook Bakehouse, Country Vittles and more. The vendors offered products ranging from baked goods, jewelry, clothing, coffee, to wine, spirits, popcorn and other popular gifts.
RavenHook Bakehouse has been at the market from the very start.
“We’ve been doing this market since it started. It’s great, it’s really busy, we do a lot of business. We always want to come whenever we can,” said Alex Girardot, son of Chris Girardot, the founder and head baker. “We change our menu seasonally, so for the holiday market we brought our Christmas menu.”
For shoppers, this featured new pies, German and Swiss dessert bread, or “stollen”, gingerbread cake, chocolate cherry bread and more.
Melanie Parker, the owner of Mel’s Munchies, started her baked goods business 4 and a half years ago after being involved in the culinary arts industry for more than 25 years.
“This is one of my favorite farmers markets because I get to interact with a lot of different students and I have a lot of friends here now,” Parker said.” It’s been a lot better the last two years than it has been, and it’s just cozy.”
Mel’s Munchies brought back all of the customer favorites from over the years for the holiday market.
“Generally everyone comes and they ask for their own specific items,” Parker said.
People showed their Maryland pride as students took pictures with Testudo and sorted through vintage wear at the UMD Vintage stand. Students could walk from booth to booth and look at the arrangement of goods, and many walked away with a drink, sweet treat or gift.
Anna Louise Marriner, a sophomore marketing major, says she has gone to the farmers market since she came to campus her freshman year.
“It’s a really convenient option for students to shop locally and sustainably. Last year I used to buy four apples every week from the produce stand and walk around with my friends,” Marriner said. “The holiday market was really fun because it put me in the holiday spirit. I even got a present for my sister from the jewelry booth.”
The market’s spring 2023 season will start on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
Featured Image: Shoppers peruse the different vendors at the holiday farmers market on Dec. 7, 2022, in Tawes Plaza. Photo by Viviane Stackhouse.