Farmers market to reopen, bringing local flavor to base community

Fresh, locally-grown produce is on its way this spring, in Jacksonville and aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune as the Onslow County Farmers Market gears up for another year.

With markets held three days a week, shoppers will have plenty of opportunities throughout the spring and summer seasons to bring North Carolina grown produce to their own tables. The Saturday markets at the main location, 4024 Richlands Highway in Jacksonville, begin with opening day on April 11. Thursday markets, beginning April 16, will take place in the Big Lots parking lot on Western Boulevard.

Following suit with last year, the Onslow County Farmers Market will also set up a Tuesday market, starting April 14, aboard Camp Lejeune in the main Marine Corps Exchange parking lot, giving service members and families a chance to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables right on base.

"It is a huge privilege to set up our market on base and to serve the Marines, sailors and their families," said Jennifer Hall, President of the Onslow County Farmers Market Association and native of Denver. "It’s a great, central location for us to set up and have people stop by."

This year, the Onslow County Farmers Market will feature 43 vendors and will continue adding farmers throughout the year. Shoppers will be able to find all of their market favorites, from the variety of locally-grown produce, to meat vendors providing fresh beef, chicken and lamb.

"We always have people asking us about strawberries," said Hall. "They are a huge draw every year." In addition to the crowd-favorite strawberries, shoppers can expect some new and exciting items this year such as cut flower vendors and several foreign food vendors who will be whipping up authentic French cuisine and Greek foods.

With opening week right around the corner, Onslow County residents can expect the goodness of local farms to be at their fingertips soon. Saturday market hours are 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and weekday markets are open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The farmers market will continue through the first weekend of November, but the Camp Lejeune market will come to a close Sept. 29.

For more information, visit onslowncfarmersmarket.com.