Howard County Farmers' Market at Howard County General Hospital

Howard County Farmers' Market at Howard County General Hospital is part of the Howard County producer-only market system, where farmers and producers sell items they have made or grown themselves. In Columbia, that translates into a Sunday market on hospital grounds with fruit growers, vegetable farms, bakers, prepared-food vendors, flower growers, wineries, breweries, and distilleries all in one lineup. The mix leans practical as much as seasonal, with produce, bread, meats, pantry goods, and take-home meals represented across the vendor roster.

Why it matters locally

Howard County farmers and producers gather at these producer-only markets, and that producer-only rule is the clearest local distinction here: vendors sell items they have produced themselves rather than acting as resellers. That keeps the Columbia market tied directly to regional farms, orchards, and food businesses including Lewis’ Orchards, Sharrah Orchards, Penn Farm, One Rock Farm, and TLV Tree Farm.

The lineup also reflects a broad slice of Maryland-made food and drink, from Manor Hill Brewing craft beer to Tenth Ward Distilling’s rye, bourbon, gin, absinthe, and canned cocktails. With vendors offering raw milk, pastured eggs, fruits, vegetables, breads, and prepared dinners, the market supports routine weekly shopping rather than only occasional specialty stops.

What you'll find there

The roster runs wide without losing its farm-market core. Fresh produce and orchard fruit sit alongside bread, flowers, meats, pantry staples, prepared meals, and Maryland-made alcohol, so a single stop can cover both ingredients and ready-to-eat food.

• -Pick up mixed seasonal arrangements, annuals, perennials by the stem, and home-made accessories from Blue Gables.
• -Find wine from Broody Vineyards.
• -Pour from Boordy Vineyards, another vendor growing and making wine.
• -Stock olive oil, olives, infused olive oil, tapenade, and balsamics from Dimitri Olive Oil/Greek Super Foods LLC; pre-orders are available.
• -Choose whole wheat and other breads, plus trail mix and batter breads, at Great Harvest Bread Co..
• -Look for microgreens, edible flowers, lavender, and seedling plants from Fairy Greens.
• -Cool off with artisan gelato from Mike’s Gelato.
• -Bring home seasonal vegetables and herbs from Penn Farm.
• -Shop fruits, vegetables, and herbs from One Rock Farm.
• -Browse fruit from Sharrah Orchards, a fifth-generation farm.
• -Take home cupcakes, pies, cookies, breads, soups, prepared dinners, crab cakes, chicken pot pies, and brownies from Stone House Cakery & Café.
• -Sip Genever inspired gin, smoked corn whiskey, bourbon, Maryland rye, absinthe, and canned cocktails from Tenth Ward Distilling, Co..
• -Fill out the cart with vegetables, bedding plants, flowers, honey, pumpkins, jellies, jams, meats, eggs, and Christmas trees from TLV Tree Farm.
• -Buy raw milk and cream, pastured eggs and chicken, and pastured beef and pork from Hensing’s Hilltop Acres, LLC.
• -Take home callaloo and saltfish, ackee and saltfish with fried dumplings, or jerk and curry chicken with rice and peas from Altheas Almost Famous.
• -Add asparagus, beans, beets, blackberries, blueberries, and other fruits and vegetables from Fajardo's Produce Farm (Pleitez Produce).
• -Pick up sandwich loaves and artisan-style bread baked with organic and local ingredients from Harvest Rise Bread Company.
• -Follow the season through strawberries, cherries, peaches, blueberries, nectarines, pears, plums, raspberries, apples, and apple cider at Lewis’ Orchards.
• -Grab locally brewed craft beer from Manor Hill Farm, Manor Hill Brewing.
• -Sample handcrafted spirits from Twin Valley Distillery.

The market also operates as a weekly Sunday market from May 11 to November 2, 2025, and the broader Howard County system includes a Wednesday market from May 7 to October 29, 2025.

Know before you go

No dogs are allowed, which is the clearest visit-planning rule to know before heading over. The market is on Cedar Lane at Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, and the Sunday location is tied to 5851 Robert Oliver Place in the posted directions. Directions approach from Route 29 via Exit 20A to Route 175, then Thunderhill Road, Whiteacre Road, and Stevens Forest Road.

Parking is part of the site selection, with organizers stating they choose locations with plenty of parking. If Maryland is under a state of emergency and driving restrictions are in place, markets close.

Payments & SNAP

SNAP/EBT is accepted, and the market also states that vendors at each market accept WIC and EBT. Payment options are presented clearly by the market, which helps when you're planning a full grocery stop rather than a quick browse.