Photo By Sgt. Jared Lingafelt | Today marks the end of the 2014 Onslow County Farmers Market season aboard Marine...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Patrons aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune said goodbye to the Onslow County Farmers Market during its last day before closing for the 2014 season, Aug. 26.
The farmers market opened earlier this year April 26, made its home at the mainside exchange parking lot and gave base personnel and their families an opportunity to meet with local businesses and farmers to purchase locally grown produce and products.
“We have had a lot of great customers and met a lot of great military families that all seemed to be really excited about the fact that they can get fresh fruits and vegetables on site,” said Steve Putnam, owner of Putnam Family Farms from Kinston, North Carolina.
The 2014 season was a first for Camp Lejeune, establishing a blueprint for future markets on other military installations.
“This was a trial period and we understood that coming into it,” said Putnam. “Hopefully we can grow upon that. Our growing season goes for another two months, which allows us to carry things all the way through frost as well. Many cold season crops grown around here are very healthy crops, which is obviously a big concern with military families.”
With patrons aboard the installation taking interest in the future of the on base market, the future of on base farmers markets looks bright.
“We are excited about the turnout this year,” said Putnam. “We had high expectations going in with a lot of hype behind this season for this particular market, especially with this being a new concept across the country for military organizations and we think we have met those expectations.”
With this year’s market closing before the growing season is over, many market customers and farmers are hopeful for a season aboard base for next year’s market.
“Most everyone we met this year seemed really excited about the idea of coming back next year,” said Putnam. “Hopefully next year we can carry it another couple of months and provide fresh fruits and vegetables all the way into frost.”
With the Onslow County Farmers Market closed, shoppers and farmers can look forward to next year’s season and the produce and items it will bring.
“I love the fact that we have a farmers market on base,” said Beth Christopher, farmer’s market shopper. “There are so many vegetables coming in and they are so fresh, it makes it very convenient and fun to shop with local businesses. I look forward to when the market comes back next year.”
| Date Taken: | 08.27.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.08.2014 19:01 |
| Story ID: | 141496 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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