Meade Farmers Market offers healthy foods

By Lisa RhodesMay 30, 2014

Meade Farmers Market offers healthy foods
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (May 29, 2014) ‐‐ Mary Walters picked up the last bag of collards offered by Ollie's Fresh Picked produce stand in the Smallwood Hall parking lot.

A military spouse, Walters was one of more than 300 people who attended the opening of the Fort Meade's Farmers Market on May 21.

"I think it gives us a lot of healthy options for our families," said the Meuse Forest resident. "I think [the vendors] offer high-quality goods, and the prices are reasonable."

The farmers market is held every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Nov. 12 in the Smallwood Hall parking lot, across from McGlachlin Parade Field on Cooper Avenue.

The farmers market is part of the garrison's participation in the DoD's Healthy Base Initiative, a yearlong demonstration project for Operation Live Well. The campaign is aimed at increasing the health and wellness of the total force, including civilians and family members, according to an Army website.

Fort Meade is one of 14 DoD installations and sites that are being assessed for their ability to create environments that enable sustainable, healthy lifestyles.

"Fort Meade is endeavoring to be one of the Army leaders in providing convenient ways for our community to make healthy choices," said Scott Myers, business operations officer at the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. "The Fort Meade Farmers Market will help us achieve that goal."

The farmers market is sponsored by DFMWR; Fort Meade Plans, Analysis and Integration Office; Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center's Division of Preventive Medicine; Fort Meade Veterinary Services; and the Fort Meade Regional Growth Management Committee.

Six vendors participated at the opening. They included Truck Patch Farms, a family-owned farm located in Sam's Creek in Carroll County, which offered USDA-inspected, naturally grown and pesticide-free beef, poultry and pork.

Pleitez Produce, a family-owned farm in Montross, Va., offered strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce, pak choi, spring onions and radishes.

Black Rock Orchard, a 65-acre family-owned farm in Lineboro, offered tomatoes, asparagus, rhubarb, apples, apple butter and pears.

In addition, the Defense Commissary Agency, Army and Air Force Exchange Services, Corvias Military Housing and Kimbrough offered healthy snacks, shopping bags and information on the Army's Performance Triad, a program launched by the Office of the Surgeon General and Army Medicine that emphasizes the importance of nutrition, activity and sleep for Soldiers.

Nony Dutton, market manager at Atwater's, a local bakery and cafe in Baltimore, said his company was happy to participate.

"We're excited to be here," he said.

The bakery produces hand-shaped breads and pastries made from mostly organic ingredients that are baked on the day they are sold. Several of the baked goods are high fiber and gluten-free.

Atwater's participates in more than 15 farmers markets in the Baltimore and Washington-metro area.

"We've already sold out of what we brought," said Dutton, about 30 minutes after the opening. "The bagels are sold out."

Another shopper was Rachel Beal, wife of Capt. Scott Beal, who recently moved to Fort Meade from Wiesbaden, Germany.

"I think it's great," said Beal as she eyed the produce. "It looks like a lot of fresh produce and fresh breads. And I like that there are community organizations so you can find out about what's happening on post."

Simone Baker and her husband, Sgt. Moreen Baker of 53rd Signal Battalion, came to the market with their two children.

"I've been looking for Pepper Scott Bonnet for a while and I was able to purchase [the Caribbean spice] here," Simone Baker said. "I'm very excited about it. It made my day. We will probably shop here on a regular basis."

Retired Master Sgt. Ollie Synder, owner of Ollie's Fresh Picked a family-owned farm in Millersville, sold out all 30 bags of his fresh collards.

"I guess [the market] will get bigger and bigger as the word gets out," Snyder said.

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