Greenbelt Farmers Market vendors wrap up another bustling season

People gather for one of the last Greenbelt Farmers Markets in the fall season. (Courtesy of Agnes Conaty)

As the Greenbelt farmers market season comes to a close and businesses start to close down their fresh food tables, a variety of vendors all concluded that 2024’s season was a success.

Sunday marked one of the last opportunities to shop and mingle with vendors, and to Rodney Russell of Simple Pleasures, it meant the tail-end of 16 successful years at the Greenbelt Farmers Market.

“Business is steady and I love being a part of the community,” said Russell, who expects Simple Pleasures to be back at next year’s farmers market.

Russell noted that he fared a bit better during the summer farmers market, since his menu is filled with flavorful ice cream that is too cold for the fall and winter seasons.

Roy and RT’s Kitchen, an Indonesian cuisine restaurant going on seven years in business, also expects to return to Greenbelt’s farmers market next year. An employee of Roy and RT’s Kitchen who recently arrived from Indonesia to help with the family business said the Greenbelt community is friendly and loves trying Indonesian food.

Lynne Ferguson of Ferguson Family Farm shared this sentiment, describing business at the farmers market as amazing, and reflecting the positive energy that Greenbelt customers have shown her this season. Ferguson Family Farm specializes in grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pork that tastes better and is more nutritious than standard grain-fed beef according to Ferguson.

“What you put out into the universe creates your future,” said Ferguson. “So if you say that business is doing well, that’s what you’ll see if you put the work in.”

For some vendors, like Tae Gu Kimchi which is a Black and Asian woman-owned business, this is one of many farmers markets that they stop by year round to promote their business. Tae Gu Kimchi can be found at 12 different markets in D.C. and three in Maryland, but they plan to return to the warmth and kindness of Greenbelt.

For others, the Greenbelt Farmers Market is a place to test and expand their business models for the future. Melanie Parker, of Mel’s Munchies, is no stranger to farmers markets, at times going to a different farmers market five days a week. Parker wants to evolve her business into a brick-and-mortar store.

“If there’s a will there’s a way,” said Parker, who also said she is absolutely going to come back next year.

The market will return for its summer season in May 2025.