The Baltimore Orchard Project (BOP) is sponsoring Mulberry Madness on June 20 at the Waverly Farmer’s Market.
To celebrate the season, BOP had a poetry contest for students who found mulberries their muse. The winners will be announced at the BOP stand during Mulberry Madness at 11:15 a.m. The high school winner will get $100 and a native fruit tree of their choice, and they will read their poem at the festival. The elementary/middle school winner will receive $50 and a native fruit tree of their choice.
More Mulberry Madness at the market includes free samples of mulberry jam made by Atwaters, mulberry treats from Gertrude’s restaurant, and a mulberry-infused cocktail mix made by Baltimore Spirits for sale.
The festival celebrates the mulberry fruit as being both native and under-appreciated in Maryland. They get a bad rap because they stain cars and streets, but they also have a good side, in that they taste great in snacks, preserves, and pies. To further repair the poor fruit’s reputation, the market will have a free recipe booklet available with how to make muffins, cobbler, and other treats using mulberries.
Another perk of visiting the market on June 20 is that Baltimore city residents will be able to pick up a free fruit tree or shrub on a first come, first serve basis, while supplies last.
The Baltimore Orchard Project is a nonprofit organization that works with schools, congregations, and neighborhoods to plant orchards and harvest native fruit trees. The goal is to create food and lively ecosystems, which help urban communities where access to fresh food is limited. Since its inception, BOP has harvested thousands of pounds of food donations and planted fruit and nut trees to increase food sources for those in need.
Waverly Farmer’s Market is located at 400 E. 32nd Street, Baltimore, MD. It runs from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
