Ecco Market

Spike Gjerde has long been a fixture of Baltimore’s local food movement, but his vision (and impact) has always reached far beyond the walls of a single restaurant. As the founding chef of Woodberry Kitchen, a celebrated dining destination and cornerstone of the Chesapeake Bay’s regional food scene, Spike helped redefine what was possible when restaurants partnered directly with local growers. Since opening in 2007, his restaurants, namely Woodberry Kitchen, have funneled more than $25 million into the hands of farmers, fishers, orchardists, and artisans throughout the region. In 2015, that leadership was nationally recognized when Spike became the first chef in Baltimore’s history to win a James Beard Award.

Yet even after nearly two decades of impact, the core question remains unchanged: What’s the best way to feed ourselves?

Coming out of the pandemic, that question felt more urgent than ever. The need for resilient, local food systems, for scalable infrastructure, for accessible and values-driven meals - these weren’t just abstract ideals. They were pressing needs of each community. In response, Spike launched the Ecco Project: a bold evolution of his original mission, designed to bring regeneratively sourced food to more people in more places.

At the heart of this expansion is Ecco Market LLC, the operating entity behind a growing network of new concepts. The flagship Ecco Market is currently under development inside a 5,000 square foot renovated mill building in Baltimore, an all-in-one culinary hub that will house a production kitchen, trattoria, bakery, deli, two bars, and retail marketplace. The space will enable large-scale preparation of regenerative pastas, baked goods, dairy items, and more, serving not only walk-in customers but also supplying other venues within Baltimore food network, including the market’s sister venue Woodberry Kitchen. 

Spike’s philosophy remains clear. Good food should be good for the land, for the farmer, and for the people eating it, whether they’re celebrating with family or grabbing a meal between work and home. With Ecco Market, he's building the infrastructure, team, and partnerships to make that vision a lived reality - one meal at a time.

Ecological, Social, and Economic Stewardship Practices

Ecco Market will spotlight producers and makers across the Mid‑Atlantic region, offering Baltimore residents year‑round access to locally sourced foods outside of the traditional farmers market. Its stewardship commitments include:

Ecological Stewardship