Photo by NatalieMaynor.

The Bethesda Urban Partnership recently notified local farms, with no warning, that Bethesda had decided to end its Farmer’s Market normally held at Veterans Park Tuesdays and Saturdays, May through October.

Louise Keckler of Orchard County Produce wrote in an email, “We can’t believe that this could happen so suddenly, but Bethesda Urban Partnership has decided that they no longer want the Farmer’s Market — so just like that — there is no Bethesda Farmer’s market! This market was a great market for us as well as our drop off spot for over 20 CSAs. Now what!”

The Bethesda Urban Partnership has no information on their website and there are no reports in any local press. They initially replied to my inquiry with a terse response: “The decision to discontinue the market was just recently made, and we will be putting this information on our website.”

Stephanie Coppula, Director of Marketing and Communications for Bethesda Urban Partnership, later acknowledged that Bethesda was “re-evaluating” their Farmers Market. According to Coppula, the Bethesda market experienced decreased attendance in 2009, which, coupled with a decline in the number of farmers participating, prompted the reevaluation. Coppola said the Urban Partnership is “exploring several other options to create another market in 2010,” but has not made a decision yet.

In the mean time, the Kecklers (and likely other local farmers) are out of a space to sell their goods. They’ve asked for the help of their customers, asking for any recommendations of space in the Woodmont Triangle or elsewhere in Bethesda where they might be able to rent during the growing season. Have any suggestions?