DC Council Honors FRESHFARM H Street NE Market

FRESHFARM H Street NE Market has been bringing local food and building community in the H Street Corridor for 20 years. This neighborhood gem epitomizes what farmers markets accomplish: they create economic opportunities for farmers and businesses, serve as peacemakers and community gathering spots, and provide vital food access points available to all. But this didn’t happen overnight and not without a lot of hard work and commitment from farmers, producers, market staff, and community members.

Last month, Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen introduced Ceremonial Resolution CER25-0292 to the DC Council to honor the H Street NE market and celebrate its transition to year-round operations in 2025. The Council adopted the resolution on November 26, 2025.

The Resolution captures the evolution of the H Street NE market from a scrappy grassroots market to a dream neighborhood institution. You can download the resolution or read a transcription below. Enjoy!

A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

25-292

 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

November 26, 2024

To recognize, honor, and celebrate the FRESHFARM H Street NE Market, on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, for its continued presence as a beloved community gathering place and its decision to expand to year-round operations in 2025.

WHEREAS, on June 5, 2004, the FRESHFARM H Street NE Market debuted on the 600 block of H Street NE, in the parking lot between the (since relocated) Department of Employment Services and the Department of Human Services;

WHEREAS, in 2004, H Street Main Street, the Department of Employment Services, the Department of Human Services, the Office of Planning, the Office of Property Management, and the H Street Community Development Corporation all worked with FRESHFARM to help create the farmers market at a time when the H Street NE corridor neighborhood had limited options for  shopping for fresh groceries;

WHEREAS, in 2004, the FRESHFARM H Street NE Market ran every Saturday until October 30, 2004, and it has operated every year from spring through fall since then;

WHEREAS, in 2008, the FRESHFARM H Street NE Market was the first farmers market in the District to accept SNAP/EBT benefits;

WHEREAS, in 2009, the FRESHFARM H Street NE Market became the first market in  the District and among the first in the country to offer an incentive match (today called FreshMatch), which provides a dollar-for-dollar match on all federal benefits spent at the market, helping shoppers take home more fresh produce and nutritious foods and helping stretch federal nutrition dollars further;

WHEREAS, over the past 2 decades, shoppers have spent more than $250,000 in nutrition benefits and incentives at the FRESHFARM H Street NE Market, which has helped establish the FRESHFARM H Street NE Market as a pioneering example of how farmers markets can foster food security, create robust revenue streams for the local food economy, and support community resilience;

WHEREAS, on November 20, 2010, FRESHFARM H Street NE Market was the first  market where FRESHFARM conducted a FRESH Food Drive in partnership with First Church of Christ Holiness, where shoppers made cash donations and FRESHFARM worked with farmers at the market to purchase fresh, local food, which First Church of Christ Holiness used to create Thanksgiving baskets for food-insecure families;

WHEREAS, in subsequent years, FRESHFARM has conducted FRESH Food Drives at all FRESHFARM markets, raising tens of thousands of dollars to purchase fresh, local food from regional farmers and producers, which FRESHFARM donates to food recovery and emergency food assistance partners across the greater Washington, DC metro area;

WHEREAS, since 2010, First Church of Christ Holiness has been the weekly food rescue partner for the FRESHFARM H Street NE Market, collecting unsold produce and other foods at the end of market and distributing them to neighbors;

WHEREAS, in 2012, the 600 block of H Street NE underwent development, and FRESHFARM H Street NE Market relocated to 13th Street NE between H and I Streets;

WHEREAS, on Sunday, May 31, 2015, First Church of Christ Holiness gave the 2015 First Church Partnership Award to FRESHFARM in appreciation for their 5 years of commitment and devotion, and recognizing that between 2010 and 2015, FRESHFRM H Street NE Market donated12,000 pounds of food to help fight hunger in our community;

WHEREAS, for 2 decades, the FRESHFARM H Street NE Market has been a vital food  access point and beloved community gathering place for thousands of families and neighbors;

WHEREAS, the FRESHFARM H Street NE Market will operate every Saturday (9am to 12:30pm) at 13th Street NE between H and I Streets from January 4 through December 27, 2025,  and for many years to come;

WHEREAS, the FRESHFARM H Street NE Market will host a rotating lineup of one  dozen farmers and producers from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District, who will bring a robust mix of seasonal fruits and vegetables, artisan baked goods, pastured meat and eggs, locally roasted coffee and distilled spirits, and perhaps most importantly, a deep understanding of our local food system, our local environment, and a passion to educate and nurture our community through their stewardship; and

WHEREAS, on December 14th, 2024, FRESHFARM will host a community block party at the market with music, sampling, and giveaways to mark the year-round transition and its 20th anniversary.

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this resolution may be cited as the “FRESHFARM H Street NE Market 20th Anniversary Recognition Resolution of 2024.”

Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes, honors, and celebrates the  FRESHFARM H Street NE Market, on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, for its continued presence as a beloved community gathering place and its decision to expand to year-round operations in 2025.

Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.