(WASHINGTON, DC) The Department of Public Works (DPW) will launch the final farmers market food waste drop-off location on Saturday, June 17 as part of the District’s citywide Food Waste Drop-Off program: Ward 8 Farmers Market (Ward 8). The program is being launched in conjunction with the opening of the 2017 Ward 8 Farmers Market season. District residents can now visit between 10am and 2pm on Saturdays behind the Martin Luther King Elementary School at 3200 6th St., SE to compost at no cost.
DPW anticipates between 75-100 participants dropping off food waste at each of the eight markets in the first year. Food waste brought by residents will create compost, a nutrient rich soil amendment that helps grow new food and plants.
Residents are encouraged to drop off the following types of food scraps: vegetables, fruits, grain, bread, pasta, and coffee grounds. The first 30 drop off participants for each market launch will receive a free basil plant.
Composting food waste is part of Back to Basics DC, a celebration of the day-to-day work that keeps Washington, DC moving forward. Follow Back to Basics DC on social media using #backtobasicsDC.
| Ward | Farmers Market Name | Address | Program Launch Date | Drop-Off Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia Heights Farmers Market | 14th and Kenyon St. NW | May 13, 2017 | 9 am – 1 pm |
| 2 | Glover Park Burleith Farmers Market | 34th and Wisconsin Ave. NW | May 13, 2017 |
9 am – 1 pm |
| 3 | University of the District of Columbia | 4340 Connecticut Ave. NW |
May 20, 2017 |
9 am – 1 pm |
| 4 | 14th and Kennedy Farmers Market | 14th and Kennedy St., NW | May 13, 2017 | 9 am – 1 pm |
| 5 | Brookland Farmers Market | 716 Monroe St NE | May 13, 2017 | 9 am – 1 pm |
| 6 | Eastern Market (in front of Rumsey Pool) |
635 North Carolina Ave. SE | April 22, 2017 | 9 am – 1 pm |
| 7 | Parkside-Kenilworth Farmers Market | 750 Parkside NE | May 20, 2017 | 9 am – 1 pm |
| 8 | Ward 8 Farmers Market | 3200 6th St. SE | June 17, 2017 | 10 am – 2 pm |
For the most up-to-date information on the program, residents may visit dpw.dc.gov/foodwastedropoff