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New Morning Farm, Jim and Moie Crawford's Organic Vegetables, Fruits, and Eggs in Hustontown, PA Since 1972


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I happened to be passing 36th and Yuma Streets around 1 pm today, and looking right I could see that New Morning had their Sheridan School Saturday market today. They had already packed up and were about to leave, it appeared. I didn't think they'd be there till next week. Had I but known, I could have had some strawberries at the least.

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Hi everyone, I'm Emily and work at New Morning Farm as an apprentice and market manager. I currently manage the Tuesday evening market at Sheridan and can also be found at Dupont on Sundays.

I have a big news-- we're opening a BRAND NEW MARKET!

The new market will be starting next Wednesday, August 29th, at the Watkins School, in the Capitol Hill area of DC. It's going to be around the block from Watkins, closer to 13th and E, SE. We are very excited to be starting this new endeavor, especially because the Watkins school has a thriving school garden and nutrition programs for their kids. The market will open at 2:30 and close around 6:30, and will feature our own organic produce as well as produce from Tuscarora Organic Growers Cooperative and other nearby growers. We will also be bringing honey, flowers, baked goods and cheeses. If you are familiar with our Sheridan markets, the selection will be larger than Tuesdays but smaller than Saturdays.

Some highlights for this upcoming week: beautiful lettuce, juicy tomatoes of all varieties, new colorful potatoes, this season's apples (Gala, Mollie Delicious, etc), nice big leeks, and yummy snack peppers! Plus, it's the first week for pears!

We are so excited about opening this new market in a new (to us) neighborhood and becoming a part of this new community. The market is only a couple blocks from the Eastern Market metro, and not far from Capitol Hill, so we hope to see some of you soon!

PS -- feel free to contact me with any questions/concerns/special orders/anything related to our markets and our farm!

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The new market will be starting next Wednesday, August 29th, at the Watkins School, in the Capitol Hill area of DC. It's going to be around the block from Watkins, closer to 13th and E, SE. We are very excited to be starting this new endeavor, especially because the Watkins school has a thriving school garden and nutrition programs for their kids.

More information about the school program at Watkins, can be found here.

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Is the correct opening date for Watkins the 12th? I saw that posted on a neighborhood listserv. I've missed the previously advertised dates that have changed but would like some kind of solid information before going next Wednesday. Thanks.

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Yes, we are finally able to move forward with the market and opening on the 12th, at 2:30, at 13th and E, SE!

I was impressed by the Watkins market yesterday. Quite a good selection and the prices were cheaper than I expected. We had some corn last night and it was fantastic. I also picked up rainbow chard, parsnips, and gorgeous green beans.

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The New Morning Farm and Tuscarora Organic Cooperative market at Watkins Elementary School will be resuming for the season on the afternoon on Wednesday, June 5th. The exact hours haven't been publicized yet, but I imagine the opening times will be similar to last fall's.

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Yes, we will back at Watkins on June 5th. The hours for this market are from 4-8, from June-October (closing earlier in the fall). We are also opening at Sheridan School on Saturday morning June 1st (8 am - 1 pm), and Tuesday evening June 4th (4pm -8pm). Everything on the farm looks great--no strawberries yet but we are hoping to have them by June 1st!

We are at the Dupont Circle market now, and have some really beautiful produce--tons of greens, basil and other herbs, rhubarb, beet bunches with greens, bok choi, scallions and spring garlic AND sustainably foraged ramps from our surrounding woods.

In addition, we updated our website over the winter, and are now blogging each week with new market additions, recipes, photos and more. Check it out: www.newmorningfarm.net.

Hope to see you soon!

The New Morning Farm and Tuscarora Organic Cooperative market at Watkins Elementary School will be resuming for the season on the afternoon on Wednesday, June 5th. The exact hours haven't been publicized yet, but I imagine the opening times will be similar to last fall's.

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Just a reminder to everyone that our Tuesday afternoon (Sheridan School, 4-8 pm) and Wednesday afternoon (Watkins School, 4-8 pm) markets start week (Today and Tomorrow!) We are bringing with us a great variety of spring and summer produce: strawberries, asparagus, tomatoes, summer squash, cukes, lots of greens, beets, scallions and herbs, and a late addition: our own sugar snap peas and pea tendrils!

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The Earliglows are our favorite variety here at NMF! This Saturday will probably be the last chance to get them -- we may have them at Dupont, but if you want the Earliglows, head to the Sheridan School early! We will also have other varieties of strawberries on Saturday and Sunday (and Tues/Weds, too).

We'll also have local cherries for the first time this Saturday. And on Sunday at Dupont, we'll have the first of our spring carrots, with tops. Delicious!

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The Watkins Market starts up again June 11th, from 4-8 PM.  It will run until sometime in the fall TBA. Cash, credit, debit, WIC/Senior FMNP and SNAP/EBT accepted.

[Note:  Opening date has changed.]

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New Morning Farm has (certified organic) rhubarb for sale, for $6 a pound. I thought that price was shocking, until I saw that Gardener's Gourmet was selling theirs (non-organic) for $7.99 a pound WITH THE LEAVES STILL ON. This is just shocking to me, having grown rhubarb when I lived in Vermont. Rhubarb is so easy to grow--it is a perennial. Once a plant is established, it comes up on its own and all the farmer needs to do is chop off stalks and REMOVE THE LEAVES, which are toxic due to high levels of oxalic acid.

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Hi Zora, and all, I'm an apprentice at New Morning Farm and market manager at our Dupont Circle stand.

Our price for rhubarb at market this past week was actually $5/lb (not $6!) You can verify this in the photo we posted that day on our Facebook page. We remove the leaves before sale and all our rhubarb is "ripe" and ready to cook, meaning that you are paying for what you will eat. As for Gardener's Gourmet's practices and price-setting, I cannot comment.

We believe it is a fair price for an item that is still considered a specialty crop for most vegetable farmers. If it was more common in the DC area, the price would probably not be as high (supply and demand). While it is true that rhubarb is a perennial, it does involve care and tending, year after year, especially at the scale at which we grow the crop.

We at NMF believe that our prices are reasonable across the board. See, for example, our prices on spring greens like kale, spinach, and chard at market. We are currently offering these items at $3/bunch or 2 for $5, a price that is hard to beat for local, organic, freshly picked vegetables.

In addition, NMF is a working farm that employs (and pays a fair wage, at that!) one dozen apprentices, several local workers, and of course, provides a living for its owners, Jim and Moie Crawford. None of us are getting rich, but we are making a living.

We encourage all of our customers to grow their own food, because it is truly the best way to eat. That is a driving reason why we are farmers--to eat what we grow.

If anyone would like to discuss these issues further, or how we determine our prices, please feel free to message me or approach me at our Dupont Circle stand. I'm there every week!

Thank you and hope to see you all soon at our stand!

Emily

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I stand corrected regarding the price of your rhubarb. I could be wrong, but I believe that it is $1 a pound more than it was last year. Of course, I believe that farmers should make a decent living, which is why I have shopped at farmers' markets weekly, or more often, since the early 1980's, when I lived in Santa Monica, CA. Dupont Circle is an interesting case, since prices there are quite a bit higher than markets further out in the 'burbs, which is mostly a reflection of the relative affluence of the shoppers who come there. And prices seem to rise together within the market--there are few outliers. It would be healthy if prices were a reflection of actual costs to bring that item to market -- rhubarb being an example of a perennial crop like asparagus, which involve less annual cost, once established, than crops that need to be seeded, transplanted, thinned, etc. etc. every year. Another example--the eggs I was buying for $4.50 a dozen from one particular vendor for a very long time suddenly were $5, because that is what everyone else who sells eggs was charging.

And as much as I am happy to see the farmers at Dupont do well and prosper, I hope that Gardener's Gourmet had to take a whole lot of rhubarb back home with them, because no one was willing to pay $8 a pound for stalks with leaves still attached. I'll be interested to see the price next week.

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It would be healthy if prices were a reflection of actual costs to bring that item to market -- rhubarb being an example of a perennial crop like asparagus, which involve less annual cost, once established, than crops that need to be seeded, transplanted, thinned, etc. etc. every year. Another example--the eggs I was buying for $4.50 a dozen from one particular vendor for a very long time suddenly were $5, because that is what everyone else who sells eggs was charging. 

As an avowed socialist, I have a great deal of sympathy with these sentiments. But as much as we might wish it were otherwise, in the capitalist economic arrangements we must perforce live with, prices are a reflection of what the market will bear. If one vendor is selling rhubarb for eight dollars a pound and all the business goes to another vendor selling it for five, the eight-dollar vendor will have to adjust her prices downward or go bust. If vendors are successfully selling lots of eggs at five dollars a dozen, the vendor who charges only $4.50 may be a great human being, but as a businessman he's a fool.

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As an avowed socialist, I have a great deal of sympathy with these sentiments. But as much as we might wish it were otherwise, in the capitalist economic arrangements we must perforce live with, prices are a reflection of what the market will bear. If one vendor is selling rhubarb for eight dollars a pound and all the business goes to another vendor selling it for five, the eight-dollar vendor will have to adjust her prices downward or go bust. If vendors are successfully selling lots of eggs at five dollars a dozen, the vendor who charges only $4.50 may be a great human being, but as a businessman he's a fool.

Well, here's the rub. If I have to pay $5 a dozen for eggs anyway, I'll buy from a different vendor--one who is more scrupulously organic and scientific about pasturing their hens. And the guy who used to charge me $4.50 has lost me, and perhaps others as a customer. And if he is hauling home eggs that he couldn't sell, he's not a brilliant businessman for charging more.

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And as much as I am happy to see the farmers at Dupont do well and prosper, I hope that Gardener's Gourmet had to take a whole lot of rhubarb back home with them, because no one was willing to pay $8 a pound for stalks with leaves still attached. I'll be interested to see the price next week.

I don't know if it's still the case, but one time when I was talking to Cinda at Eastern Market (when she still used to show up there herself in person) she said that produce she doesn't sell at the markets and has to take back gets discarded.  She might have said composted, or perhaps that's just my wishful thinking.

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Happy Summer, everyone!

Just wanted to alert you all that our strawberry season is ending -- we MIGHT have some at the Tuesday evening market but I can only guarantee that we will have some at Dupont Circle tomorrow morning.

Come early! We've been selling out by 10:30 or 11.

Besides strawberries, we've got loads of sugar snap peas, green beans, european cucumbers, and beautiful greens! Looks like tomorrow will be a beautiful day so come on out!

(PS if you haven't gotten out yet today to the Sheridan School market, we have the first BIG harvest of cherries!!)

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I love this thread.

Note that New Morning Farm's Farmers Market hours are listed in the "About" section on their Facebook page.

The Summer, 2014 hours are:

Saturday, Sheridan School (36th and Alton Street NW, Van Ness) 8AM-1PM Rain or Shine

Sunday, Dupont Circle Freshfarm Market, 8:30AM-1PM Rain or Shine

Tuesday Sheridan School (36th and Alton Street NW, Van Ness) 4PM-8PM Rain or Shine

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Popping in to say that our sungold cherry tomatoes are in full production, so we are bringing LOTS to both the Sheridan School on Saturday and Dupont Circle on Sunday, AND offering special prices to help move them out. Stop by and grab a couple pints (or more)!

Hope to see you soon,

Emily

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FALL has arrived at New Morning Farm markets across the city. We're harvesting our own organic broccoli, kale, broccoli raab, and red raspberries and MORE. Look for these items, plus our own winter squash, at all of our markets.

We love this time of year because the bounty is so beautiful and so tasty. Not only do we have fall items, but we also still have loads of peaches, sweet corn, green beans, and tomatoes!

Come by and stock up, start preserving our harvests so you don't have to go without local produce in the winter. It's a great time to process tomatoes -- contact me if you want to buy a 20# case of standard red tomatoes or 10# cases of heirlooms. We can do 1st or 2nds (slightly damaged/bruised).

And a reminder on our schedule -- our Tuesday evening market is open 4-7:30 til the end of the month, including Sept 30th. Wednesday at the Watkins School is open 3-7, through early October (closing date is TBA based on market business). And Saturdays at the Sheridan School and Sundays at Dupont Circle are open through the fall, winter, and into the early spring.

Thanks, and hope to see you out this weekend!

Emily

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Great news! Our market at the Watkins School in SE had a surprisingly successful summer season and so we have decided to continue going there through the winter. HOWEVER, we are switching from a Wednesday afternoon market to a Saturday morning market (we will also be at the Sheridan School as usual on Saturdays).

So, Watkins Neighborhood Farmers Market -- 13th and E St SE -- Starting on November 1st, we will be there 9 am - 1pm, with loads of great produce and other local items!

This Wednesday, 10/22, is our last Wednesday at that location. Be sure to stop by tomorrow and pick up an Apple Coupon, which you can redeem (in that location) for a free apple any Saturday in November!

Thanks and happy eating!
Emily

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Hi all! Happy Holidays!

We would like to remind you all about our winter schedule!

All markets are closed Saturday 27th, and we do not go to Dupont Circle that Sunday (the market itself is open, however).

We return to the Sheridan School and the Watkins School on January 3rd. Winter hours at both markets are 9 am - 1pm.

The Dupont Circle market changes to winter hours on Jan 4th, opening 10 am - 1pm.

Hope to see you out this winter! We have a wide array of produce -- our own greens, roots, kohlrabi and cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and more! Plus at Sheridan and Watkins, lots of apples, organic citrus, cider, applesauce, breads, cheeses and baked goods.

Eat locally YEAR ROUND with our farmers markets!

Take care :)

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Yes, that is correct. And we have unfortunately decided not to continue coming to that market for the rest of the winter, as we have been struggling to build momentum to make it profitable. But we will be back in June! Sorry for the short notice, everyone.

We will still be coming to the Sheridan School and the Dupont Circle market through March.

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Due to the extreme cold temperatures tomorrow am, we are CANCELLING market at the Sheridan School. WE WILL NOT BE AT MARKET SATURDAY, JAN 10 (tomorrow)!! We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause!

HOWEVER, we will be at Dupont Circle as usual, with extra produce and eggs, plus baked goods!

Thank you and stay warm!

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Hello everyone!

New Morning Farm will be returning to the Dupont Circle Market THIS SUNDAY!

We will be bringing beautiful butterhead lettuces, bunches of kale, scallions, fresh herbs like cilantro, dill and thyme, and RHUBARB!

Plus, lots of carrots, beets, cabbage and potatoes!

We will be returning to the Sheridan School on Saturday, June 6th, and our Tuesday and Wednesday markets open the week following that (unless, of course, our strawberries come on sooner!).

Hope to see many of you out this Sunday--it looks like it'll be a beautiful spring day!

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Update: Due to the warm spring, we will be harvesting strawberries, summer squash, and MAYBE some snap peas THIS WEEK!

That means we are returning EARLY to the Sheridan School! We will be there THIS SATURDAY, May 30th (8am - 1pm), with strawberries, greens, and so much more!!! We will be there again on the following Tuesday, June 2nd, from 4-8 pm, and on Wednesday, June 3rd, we return to the Watkins School market, 3:30-7:30.

And as usual, we will be at the Dupont Circle market on Sunday mornings.

Please feel free to contact me with questions, and please, SPREAD the WORD about our new opening dates.

Thank you and see you at market!

Emily

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Hello!

We've got incredible news! We harvested the first of the SWEET CORN this morning!! That means that our Tuesday afternoon market today at the Sheridan School will have the FRESHEST sweet corn possible, first of the season, can't get any better than this, folks!

And not only that -- we just got in PEACHES.

YES, that's right - today, Tuesday June 23rd, we will have PEACHES and SWEET CORN! Almost unbelievable, it's not even July!!

In addition to those amazing items, we will also have blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, two types of cherries, (probably) apricots, and TONS TON TONS of amazing spring and summer vegetables. Like: new potatoes, freshly picked green beans, sugar snap peas, kale and chard, fava beans, summer squash, cucumbers, hothouse tomatoes (field tomatoes coming soon). Plus, a selection of herbs, scallions, fresh garlic, and garlic scapes.

We will also have this wide selection of amazingness (including corn picked TOMORROW) at our Wednesday market at the Watkins School - please note - now that school is out, the Watkins market will open at 4pm instead of 3:30.

And of course, all of this bounty will continue into the weekend markets. We'll also have our own sungold cherry tomatoes at the Dupont Market (Sheridan will get sungold and red cherry tomatoes from the cooperative).

I personally am super excited to bite into my first ear of corn in 2015!

Hope to see you at market,

Emily

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