TasteLab, a culinary incubator in Northeast D.C., opened a stall in Union Market last week that exclusively offers homegrown items.
TasteLab’s small shop offers a wide variety of unique, local foodstuffs from 65 D.C. businesses. The incubator offers more than 100 different items, everything from District Juicery granola to Jerkface beef jerky.
The stall is small, but has quaint wooden shelves stocked with their dry products, like wildflower honey and chewy, gluten-free cookies. They also have two refrigerators stocked with gluten-free bread, salad dressings and inventive drinks.
The best part about these tasty items? They’re all under $10.
Next to the cash register is an area that will occasionally house live demonstrations and tastings from the chefs who don’t have items for sale in the store. This gives Union Market a peek into what these chefs are creating at the TasteLab.
One of the first live tastings was held on opening weekend with Seared Eats and their fresh guacamole. The classic guacamole was smooth, spicy and packed a punch from the very first bite.
TasteLab has a 8,000-square-foot building up the street from Union Market where they rent out space and equipment to growing food companies, as well as provide advice and industry connections. All of the chefs they rent to are local Washingtonians so this resource helps small businesses produce their products.
Most of the food stalls in Union Market are local startups, so TasteLab fits right in with their new neighbors.
“When people come to Union Market they generally come to eat lunch or dinner, and all restaurants have local roots, but there isn’t really a place that focuses on products made in D.C.,” TasteLab founder Ryan Hansan told Eater D.C.
Union Market is located at 1309 5th St. NE and is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.