The Evolution of a Local
Market
B Y Claudia Kousoulas
Photo and opposite page , right : Charlena Edge
Markets shape our lives ; they surround us and while we shop and purchase , we rarely think about how a market is created . We assume food will always be on the supermarket shelf , that all manner of consumer goods will be plentiful and varied , that customers and producers will find each other . We overlook the unseen work of production , logistics , and advertising that go into establishing a successful market — whether online or on the street .
A very particular market was established in Bethesda , on Wisconsin Avenue , in 1932 , connecting the County ’ s farm producers with down-county customers . The Montgomery County Farm Women ’ s Cooperative Market was established in response to the Depression . It overcame skepticism to develop a loyal following , patronized by embassies and even the White House .
In the County , the Depression led to a 70 percent drop in farm income and was aggravated by a three-month drought in 1930 . As reported by The Sun , drought “… burned up the corn in the meadows ” and orchard fruit dropped from the trees . “ Vegetable gardens have failed so dismally that farmers are buying food from the green grocers .” The story goes on to say that “ These are usually prosperous counties , [ Frederick and Montgomery ] populated by farmers with resources and ingenuity generally regarded above the average .”
While many farmers could grow food to feed their families , they still needed a cash crop to pay mortgages and taxes , and to buy shoes , medicine , and college tuition . And they needed to find customers . Blanche Corwin , the County ’ s assistant extension agent , had organized a Homemakers Club , which became a starting point for establishing the Farm Women ’ s Market . Corwin thought a cooperative market in Bethesda , near federal workers and their steady
paychecks , could generate income without a middleman .
On opening day in February 1932 , beneath a tent in a rented space near the Edgemoor community , 19 women opened at 7:00 a . m . and nearly sold out of their cakes , bread , poultry , sausages , and preserves . Mollie Gladhill , a founding member of the market , became known as “ the chocolate cake lady .” In a 1974 oral history held by Montgomery History , she recalled that one customer came with her chauffeur to buy the orange loaf — a two-layer cake with orange icing , “ and the chauffeur always paid for it . He had the money , she didn ’ t .” Macie King , also a founding member , organized her children and tenant wives to help with the cooking , baking about 50 cakes a week . With her earnings , Macie installed an electric range in the basement as well as using a wood stove and range in the kitchen . Her grandson , Bill Duvall , recalled that a dairy farming family in Damascus who couldn ’ t pay their taxes
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