This market keeps expanding, even in a tight economy. This year it jumped over Holliday Street and set up booths selling jewelry and crafts in a parking lot.
The market draws a mix of folks, and lately high-end, organic goods have done well here. Not so long the idea of selling organic goat cheese at the downtown market seemed laughable. Now FireFly Organic Cheese from Garrett County has a stand there, and co-owner Mike Koch says he sells more cheese in Baltimore than in any other location he works, including the DuPont Circle market.
The big crowds generate big demand and sometimes merchants, especially bread bakers, sell out before the noon closing.
Parking near the market is a zoo. Theoretically, the city's parking rules are in effect. But in reality there is little enforcement on Sunday mornings. Lately many customers walk to the market, proving by their numbers and their attire - plenty of flip-flops and the occasional pajama pants - that young people are living downtown.
Towson Farmers' Market
Where: : Allegheny Avenue between York Road and Washington Avenue
When: : 10:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays (on that day the location shifts to the municipal parking lot on that block).
This 30-year-old farmers' market stretches along a diverse restaurant row, so visitors can knock back a wheatgrass shot or devour a pulled-pork sandwich at sidewalk tables before strolling to the stalls.
Along with a bounty of fruits, veggies, roasted nuts and free-range eggs, there are some unusual offerings for a produce-only market. Like tomatoes in June. And olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Black Rock Orchard was peddling "Tomatoes with Flavor" last week. They were big, fat, juicy, late-summer-looking things, grown in a Carroll County hothouse.
As for the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, a Baltimore Countian who owns property in Spain has a booth with both. More olive oil can be had from another county resident who has an olive orchard in Greece.
Cut and potted flowers, herbs and a few veggies can be had from many vendors, but they come with a side of good karma at the Talmar Gardens and Horticulture Center booth. Talmar grows the stuff near Cromwell Valley Park with help from people with physical disabilities and other challenges.
