LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — A new self-serve produce stand is bringing locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers to Lexington Park, offering residents a convenient way to shop for fresh food while supporting Southern Maryland farms.
Located at 46325 Rue Purchase Road, Potluck Produce Stand is open daily from sunrise to sunset and features seasonal produce sourced from local farms, fresh-cut flowers and a custom-built aquaponics herb garden where customers can snip their own herbs. The stand also operates on a self-checkout system, allowing shoppers to browse and pay at their own pace.
Built To Fill A Need
The idea behind Potluck Produce Stand came from owner Lindsay Digman, an engineer who wanted to make fresh, locally grown food more accessible to residents in the Lexington Park area.
“I love the farmers market, but it’s hard to make it on the few hours they’re open on Saturday, and it’s almost 30 minutes each way to get to well-stocked stands like Chesapeake’s Bounty, so I wanted to make something that’s more accessible to the people that live in Lexington Park,” Digman said.
Rather than simply envisioning the project, Digman designed and built it herself. She constructed the produce stand and engineered the aquaponics herb garden that allows customers to harvest fresh herbs directly from the growing beds.
Supporting Local Farms
Potluck Produce Stand partners with several local farms, including Kate Chandler Campus Community Farm at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and Sassafras Farm.
Digman said the Kate Chandler farm follows sustainable growing practices, never spraying its crops and relying on volunteers who hand-weed garden beds throughout the season.
“They grow some crops that I’ve never even tried before,” she said. “They brought me giant zucchetta that were grown from heirloom seeds sourced from Italy.”
The farm also has a strong community mission, donating approximately 80% of its harvest to help address food insecurity throughout the region.
By purchasing produce from these farms, customers are not only buying fresh, seasonal food but also supporting organizations committed to sustainable agriculture and giving back to the community.
More Than A Produce Stand
While the shelves are stocked with local produce, flowers and herbs, Digman says her vision extends far beyond fresh food.
“I’ve had several gardeners reach out to me asking to donate their extra produce, so later this season I’ll probably roll out an exchange program for store credit — drop off some tomatoes, pick up some squash sort of thing. I’d really like this space to be something that supports the community.”
That community focus will continue in August when Potluck Produce Stand inviting visitors to leave a painted handprint on the stand’s doors as part of its grand opening celebration.
Digman is also adding a picnic table behind the stand where visitors can purchase flowers by the stem and create their own bouquets. She’s working with local musicians to feature CDs from area bands in a dedicated music nook inside the stand, giving customers another opportunity to support local artists while they shop.
For home cooks, Digman is developing seasonal recipe cards complete with nutritional information to help customers make the most of fresh, locally grown ingredients.
“I looove to cook, so I’m putting recipe cards together with nutritional information for things that are in season,” she said.
Built On Trust And Community
Operating on a self-checkout system, Potluck Produce Stand is built on what Digman describes as trust and community, allowing customers to shop whenever it’s convenient while supporting local growers.
The stand’s motto — “Everything Grows Better With Love” — reflects Digman’s hope that the space becomes more than a roadside produce stand. Instead, she envisions it as a neighborhood destination where residents can connect with local farmers, gardeners, artists and one another.
Potluck Produce Stand is located at 46325 Rue Purchase Road in Lexington Park and is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
People can follow the stand on Instagram at @potluckproduce for seasonal updates, recipes and information about what’s fresh each week.
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