Who’s Norman?

Norman’s Farm Market has been supplying the Washington, DC area with the region’s freshest local produce for almost four decades. From our earliest days of selling produce on local roadsides to our current standing of providing fresh fruit and vegetables grown on our 60-acre farm, our mission remains the same—deliver fresh, locally grown produce from our farm straight to your table.

Our Roots

Here’s a look at Norman’s Farm Market’s development since our humble beginnings in the late 1980’s:

1987
The beginning of an idea
Norman brothers start selling on the roadside

The Norman Brothers, Steve, John and Jeff, start selling local fruits and vegetables along the Montgomery County, Maryland roadsides. Their uncle Robert Kay, who 20 years prior operated his own produce stand out of the trunk of his car in Potomac, MD, gave them the idea.

1990’s
Expanded
Norman's Farm Market is born
The Norman brothers, aided by a small group of high school and college students and a modest fleet of the ugliest used pick-up trucks ever assembled, operated as many as 10 roadside markets in a single season. This endeavor was named Norman’s Farm Markets. Over the next decade Norman’s forged relationships with many local farmers, customers, and food enthusiasts. They opened a gourmet market in Bethesda, a garden center and country store in Reston, Virginia, and farm markets in Potomac and Olney.
2006
The Normans started their first farm.
Norman started his first farm

In 2006, Norman’s began its own five-acre farm in Woodbine, Maryland. This small farm allowed us the opportunity to experiment with growing unique varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. We can develop sustainable farming techniques and explore new trends. Today, it serves as a central produce depot that supplies our produce stand CSA program.

2007
CSA Program

Norman’s launches their first CSA with 10 members.

2008
CSA Program expands

Norman’s CSA expands to 50 members. We introduce the idea of a market style CSA where members pack their own shares choosing from lots of different options.

2009-2012
Approximately 1,000 members
Norman's CSA Membership grows exponentially

Norman's CSA Membership grows exponentially to approximately 1,000 members as a result of our new model and the sense of community it encourages.

2015
60-acre farm

On December 23, we purchased our 60-acre farm thanks to the contribution and commitment of our founding members

2020
We ventured into
online sales due to the pandemic
Pandemic and online sales

The pandemic forces Norman's to reinvent themselves by adding an online marketplace, extending the season to year-round, and partnering with Frederic Carliez to develop a gourmet catalog of products to complement our forte, fresh local produce.

Today

Norman’s Farm Market continues to be family owned and operated by brothers Jeff and John and John’s wife Eris.

The Norman’s Farm Market network extends well beyond our 60-acre farm in Howard County, Maryland. We also work with a number of other local farms Montgomery County, MD; Adams County, PA; the eastern shore; the northern neck and all points in between.

Bridging the gap between small family farms and your kitchen table is one of our favorite parts of the job. Here are just a few of the farms we work with to bring you the best local produce the DC area has to offer:

Our mission is to deliver fresh, locally grown produce from our farm straight to your table.

Fundraising with Norman’s Farm Market

Norman’s Farm Market takes great pride in bringing our customers the best, locally grown fresh produce in the Washington, DC area.

We take the same amount of pride, if not more, in being active in our community. It’s why we offer Maryland and Washington, DC schools, sports teams, and other organizations a healthy and profitable fundraising option—through locally grown produce!

Here’s how fundraising with Norman’s Farm Market works:

  • Choose your fundraising campaign options, length and goal.
  • Your donors purchase trial CSA shares, fresh apple cider, pumpkins, or other produce.
  • Norman’s Farm Market provides delicious, healthy fruits and veggies.
  • Your organization keeps a portion of the profits.

Rescue Initiative, partnering with area food banks and efforts such as Manna Food Center, So What Else, United Methodist Church to minimize waste and find a good home for all our surplus produce.

Norman’s Farm Market is always looking for new farmers. If you are an agricultural producer within 100 miles from the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area, please do not hesitate to contact us!