Future of Quantico Farmers Market in Doubt

QUANTICO, Va — Last Thursday marked the end of season and possibly the run of the farmers’ market at Quantico.

When the program launched last year, it was funded as a part of the Healthy Base Initiative pilot program. With funding cut for next season, Elizabeth Borst, Quantico Farmers’ Market Manager,said they are working on alternative resources to keep the market afloat. On average, 500 people visited the market each week. It’s a hopeful number but Borst admits that numbers need to double to remain viable.

One of the biggest challenges for the market is the transient nature of a military lifestyle.

“We would build our customer base and then they would all move away and then we’d have to start again,” Borst said. “Our lesson learned with that is we should get out in front of PCS season, and let Marines know about the farmers’ market as soon as they know of their active duty station.”

Borst who also manages the Spotsylvania Farmers’ Market, advocates the importance of fresh, local and affordable foods on base. This year, the market partnered with Semper Fit, the Marine Corps Exchange, the Commissary and other base organizations to advocate the importance of a healthy diet.

“It’s been about trying to expose military families to fresh food right in their community so that’s it’s easy for them to eat healthy,” Borst said.”We had a stronger season this year, than last. We hope to grow more each season but it takes time to change peoples’ eating habits and behaviors.”

Thanks to the help of Lauren King, dietitian at Semper Fit, people were able to get information and advice on food education and preparation. King attended the market bi-weekly as the “Vegucation Station” expert, offering materials that were provided by the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Each week  King offered counseling and take-home material with preparation instructions and recipes based on in-season produce.

“We have found in the military community that these farmers markets look nice and pretty and Marines [their families and civilians] want to buy produce but they’re not really sure what to do with it once they bring it home,” King said.

In addition to food education, the market also invited a variety of food trucks each week. They also changed start times this season from 2 p.m. to 10 a.m., to accommodate work schedules. But regardless of the time switch, Lucia Anderson, a Marine spouse and an avid farmers’ market participate, said the base hours have always been much better than farmer’s market out in town, which usually are on Sundays and overcrowded, she said.

“I’m really delighted that they have a farmers’ market here for military families,” said Anderson, a Woodbridge resident. “The farmers’ market in Dale City near my home is only open on Sundays during church hours. The market here is very convenient because you can get you produce and then your groceries at the commissary.”

The future of the market is up in the air, but King and Borst said they remain hopeful. They also encourage families, civilians and military members who want to see the market back, voice their opinion and support.