It’s important to shop small. As some of you may know, Small Business Saturday has already passed, but that doesn’t mean we need to stop supporting small businesses year-round. One of my favorite ways to shop small is to go to a farmer’s market! As the weather starts to get colder, a lot of farmers markets will pause during the colder months and will not re-open until the spring. However, the Olney Farmer’s and Artist’s Market is open EVERY Sunday from 9am to 1pm, year-round! So naturally, I just had to go and check it out. The market is located at 2801 Olney Sandy Spring Rd, Olney, MD 20832, and they have a ton of vendors! They have a lot of handmade goods, as well as baked goods, food trucks, fresh organic produce, fresh squeezed juices, meat and poultry, and so much more.

What I typically do first is I scope out the entirety of the market before I really decide what to purchase. I will also usually grab some sort of beverage to sip on, or a bite to eat while I walk around. This morning I saw PACHA MAMA JUICE CO. I decided to try the Tropical Sunrise fresh juice, and it did not disappoint! The guy that helped me was super sweet and informative. I learned a lot about turmeric and how it helps with hangovers!

I went on to purchase some fresh greens, sprouts, and then some meats form a local butcher up in Frederick. I then stumbled upon this empanada stand and let me tell you, these are some of the best empanadas I have ever had! They are called DMV Empanadas, and they have a huge variety to choose from! Now, I had some others stops this morning and I didn’t want my food to get cold, so I was told they sell frozen ones you can heat in the oven or the air fryer at home, so I opted for the frozen ones. I choose the shrimp with old bay and the steak and cheese options. As soon as I got home, I threw them into the oven at 350 degrees and after 15 minutes, they were ready. They also apparently have a location in Gaithersburg too which I will have to check out sometime soon.

All in all, today was a trip worthwhile, and I know I will definitely go back soon! Do you have a small business you’d like other students to support? Drop your information in the comments section below! As the semester comes to a close, and we start the new year, I wish everyone a safe, and happy holiday season and a very happy 2024!