Columbia Farmers' Markets Return This Week

Columbia’s farmers' markets return this week. Purveyors of local produce will be showcasing their goods at three different locations in Columbia—every Thursday at the East Columbia location of the , every Friday at and every Sunday at in Oakland Mills.

Howard County farmers' markets are made up of vendors who can only sell products grown or produced on their own farms, according to the market’s rules. This allows consumers to connect with and learn from the farmers who grew or produced the food. 

Tell us in comments: What is your favorite item to get at the farmers' market in May?

East Columbia Library expected vendors on Thursday (2 p.m. - 6 p.m.), according to the Howard County Farmers' Markets website:

• Bowling Green Farm, Sykesville - Cheese, butter and spreads
• The Cosmic Bean Coffee Company, Millersville – Fresh roasted coffees, tea blends, handmade incense and soaps.
• Great Harvest Bread Co., Columbia - Fresh milled whole grain breads, rolls, pies, bread pudding, coffee cake and more.
• Lewis Orchards, Cavetown - Fruits such as blueberries, plums, nectarines, pears and cider.
• Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Gardners, PA - Eggs, berries, apricots, cherries, melons, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, eggplant, leeks, peppers, potatoes, radishes, squash and tomatoes.
• Tomatoes Etc. - Offering produce
• Unger's Fruit Farm, Hampstead - Apples, peaches, plumbs, green beans, cucumbers, onions, peppers, squash, rhubarb, dehydrated apples and more.

Howard County General Hospital expected vendors on Friday (2 p.m. - 6 p.m.):

• Dorio Biscotti, Silver Spring – Homemade biscotti in several flavors including anise, chocolate peanut butter, white chocolate cranberry and butter pecan.
• Bowling Green Farm, Sykesville – Selling cheese, butter and spreads.
• The Breadery, Ellicott City – Offering a selection of their fresh baked breads.
• The Cosmic Bean Coffee Company, Millersville – Fresh roasted coffees, tea blends, handmade incense and soaps.
• MacBride & Gill Falcon Ridge Farm, Westminster – Variety of fruits including cherries, blueberries, saskatoons, currants, raspberries, blackberries, plums, apricots, paw paws, persimmons, Asian pears and Chinese dates. Also offering fruit jams and dried fruits.
• Stone House Bakery, Keymar – Cakes, pies, cookies, jams, cupcakes, sweet breads, rolls, muffins and scones
• Love Dove, Woodbine – Garlic, greens, kale, spring lettuce, baby bok choi, spinach, heirloom tomatoes, sweet potatoes, fingerling potatoes and other vegetables. 
• TLV Tree Farm, Glenelg – Variety of vegetables, strawberries, blackberries, fresh herbs, honey, pumpkins, jellies. Also bringing Howard County-raised pork, beef, lamb, chicken and eggs.

The Other Barn expected vendors on Sundays (9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.):

• Bowling Green Farm, Sykesville - Cheese, butter and spreads
• The Cosmic Bean Coffee Company, Millersville – Fresh roasted coffees, tea blends, handmade incense and soaps.
• Great Harvest Bread Co., Columbia - Fresh milled whole grain breads, rolls, pies, bread pudding, coffee cake and more.
• Greenway Farms (May-Mid June) - Bedding plants, vegetable plants, herbs and flower baskets
• Kenny's Produce - fruits and vegetables
• Stone House Bakery, Keymar – Cakes, pies, cookies, jams, cupcakes, sweet breads, rolls muffins and scones
• Lewis Orchards, Cavetown - Fruits such as blueberries, plums, nectarines, pears and cider.
• TLV Tree Farm, Glenelg – Variety of vegetables, strawberries, blackberries, fresh herbs, honey, pumpkins, jellies. Also bringing Howard County-raised pork, beef, lamb, chicken and eggs.

The markets are organized through a partnership between HCGH and the Howard County Economic Development Authority and run through Oct. 26.

In addition to the Columbia markets, there will also be farmers' markets on Wednesday in Ellicott City and Saturday in Cooksville.