MEDIA ADVISORY: USDA, MDA to Kick off Farmers Market Week Celebration at Ft. Meade

ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 28, 2014) – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Nutrition Service Administrator Audrey Rowe will join Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Secretary Buddy Hance and Lt. Col. Eric J. Smith on Wednesday, July 30to kick off National and Maryland Farmers Market Week (August 3-9, 2014) with a visit to the new Ft. Meade Farmers Market. USDA Administrator of Food Nutrition Service Mid-Atlantic Region Patricia Dombroski will also attend. 

Following brief remarks, the dignitaries will meet with market managers, farmers, vendors and customers while encouraging all Marylanders to visit farmers’ market and buy local products whenever possible. There are currently 145 markets across the state – at least one in every county and Baltimore. Search for one near you at www.marylandsbest.net.

The Fort Meade Farmers Market, held each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. , was established as part of the Healthy Base Initiative (HBI), a component of President’s Obama’s Operation Live Well Program. HBI is an effort to improve nutritional choices, increase physical activity, reduce obesity and decrease tobacco use on Department of Defense installations nationwide.  Fort Meade is one of 14 installations chosen to participate in HBI’s pilot program.

Who/What:

USDA Food Nutrition Service Administrator Audrey Rowe, MDA Secretary Buddy Hance and Lt. Col. Eric J. Smith to give remarks, present proclamations designating Aug. 3-9, 2014 Farmers Market Week and tour the Ft. Meade Farmers Market.

When:                                                  

Wednesday, July 30. Speaking program to begin at 11 a.m., followed by tour of the market.

 Where:

4650 Griffin Avenue (in the parking lot between the Parade Field, Cooper Road and Ft. Meade Museum

 Why:

To recognize Farmers Market Week in Maryland and to encourage Marylanders to buy local by shopping at farmers’ markets. Buying local supports family farms, local jobs and local economies while providing families with fresh, healthy produce. Farmers markets also provide an important source of income for farmers. For more information: www.mda.maryland.gov or www.marylandsbest.net  Also to draw attention to the DoD Healthy Base Initiative to support improved nutritional choices and the WIC and Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which helps to expand access for low-income Marylanders to be able to purchase fresh local fruits, vegetables, cut herbs and honey at their local farmers’ market

 NOTE: Media interested in covering this event must RSVP to arrange for entry to the installation. Please contact the Fort Meade public affairs office, Mary Doyle, chief of media relations at 301-6777-5592 or email mary.l.doyle14.civ@mail.mil.

 # # #