Green DC: Buy Local for Thanksgiving Dinner

Washington generally clears out for the Thanksgiving holiday. Blame it on the younger people returning home and Congress returning to the district. There are still some of us, though, who enjoy celebrating America's holiday in America's capital.

If you're planning on hosting a big Thanksgiving meal at your place this year, why not try buying locally grown vegetables and locally raised turkeys. You'll get the benefit of fresh, seasonal food while ensuring it didn't travel half-way around the world to your table.

There are many great farmer's markets in DC where you can find a great selection of local food from fruits to cheese. Below is a list of them with addresses, hours and websites. Happy Thanksgiving!

• Dupont Circle Farmers' Market: Only regional growers from the Chesapeake Bay watershed (MD, DE, VA, PA, and WV) sell at this market. In addition to great local food, there are cooking demonstrations, flower arrangements, childrens' programs and more. HOURS: Sunday 9am to 1pm, LOCATION: 20th Street, NW between Mass. Ave NW and Q Street, NW.

• Eastern Market: A fire in the Market's main hall hasn't stopped merchants from selling fresh meats, vegetables, breads and cheeses at Capital Hill's Eastern Market. Tuesday through Sunday, the South Hall is open with regular merchants selling a variety of food. On the weekends, the Farmers' Line is home to table after table of locally grown produce, as well as arts & crafts, jellies and more. HOURS: South Hall (Tues-Fri 7am to 7pm, Sat 7am to 6pm, Sun 9am to5pm) , Farmers' Line (Sat-Sun 7am-4pm) LOCATION: 306 7th St. SE, 1.5 blocks North of Eastern Market metro station on 7th street.

• Foggy Bottom Farmers' Market: This is a convenient stop for anyone who doesn't have time to shop on the weekend. The market is located right at the exit of the Foggy Bottom metro station and is open on Wednesday afternoons. There is a pretty generous variety of products from produce to herbs. Several of the merchants also pride themselves on organic and grass-fed options. By the way, this is the last week to shop at this location before the winter, they close on November 26th. HOURS: Wednesday 2:30pm to 7pm LOCATION: I Street between New Hampshire and 24th St. NW

• Penn Quarter Farmers' Market: Located in the heart of the District, this area has been home to local markets that have fed Washingtonians for over 100 years. Every Thursday, the area behind the National Portrait Gallery is transformed into a bussleing market with merchants selling a huge variety of foods and products. HOURS: Thursdays 3pm to 7pm LOCATION: 8th Street NW between D and E Streets NW.

• Adams-Morgan Farmers' Market: According to legend the location of this market was once home to a theater where on a snowy night in the 1930's the roof collapsed, killing hundreds of people. Of course now the area is home to a great market with lots of friendly local growers. Merchants have been selling their products here since 1973 and there is a reason why people keep coming back. HOURS: Saturday 9am to 1pm LOCATION: Corner of 18th Street and Columbia Road NW in Adams-Morgan.

• Chevy Chase Farmers' Market: The technical name for this one is the Broad Branch Farmers' Market. Like most area markets, only food producers, and not wholesalers, are able to sell. Their selling season lasts from April 29th to November 25th. An emphasis is placed on sustainable production practices and a strong connectio between producers and consumers. HOURS: Saturday 9am to 1pm LOCATION: Lafayette Elementary School, at the corner of Broad Branch Road and North Hampton Street.

• Mount Pleasant Farmers' Market: This local market is held under the trees of Lamont Park in Mount Pleasant. It is an intimate yet expansive market geared toward the diverse population in Mount Pleasant. It is also a producer only market with products from the mid-Atlantic region. This is the last weekend the market is open before winter. HOURS: Saturday 9am to 1pm LOCATION: 3200 Mount Pleasant Street NW between Park and Lamont Streets

I know there are several other markets around Washington that I haven't mentioned. There is a USDA market, a Ward 8 market, an Anacostia market and a Brookland market in addition to several others. Unfortunately, many of these have closed for winter or I was unable to dig up sufficient information about them. If you have a favorite market not mentioned here, post a comment on it.