“This farmers market is long overdue,” said Sylvia Flores, president of Chamorro Village adding that the last time the village hosted a market was nearly 15 years ago.
Department of Agriculture acting Director Joseph Torres said that the move to support local agriculture was a smart one. Torres said that island residents can’t always expect to rely on imported fruits and vegetables.
Torres said Guam depends on imported goods and if any shipment delays were to happen, the island would be in trouble. He also added that during typhoons and other tropical storms residents need to be able to look to local farmers for their sustenance needs.
“We need to bring our farmers back,” said Torres, adding that support for local agriculture is especially important with the impending military buildup.
Thang Le, an independent farmer from Yigo is thankful for the new farmer’s market because it allows him a chance to tap into a larger customer base. Currently Le sells his fruits and vegetables alongside roads in Yigo and Dededo and occasionally at the Dededo flea market.
Le said although some farmers drive to different sites around the island to try and make a larger profit, gas can get expensive.
Having a central market is beneficial he added because farmers will only have to make one trip to access the large customer base the Chamorro Village offers, especially during the Wednesday night market.
Le said he intends to set up shop at the new market for at least two to three days a week. While only a handful of local farmers were actively selling their goods at yesterday’s ceremony, Le said he hopes other farmers will be enticed into taking advantage of the new farmer’s market.
Ernest Wusstig, another long-time Guam resident and farmer, was praised at the ceremony for his work toward promoting local agriculture.
Wusstig won the Nationwide Hispanic Farmer of the Year award, something he said was completely unexpected. Wusstig said he went up against thousands of other farmers from across the mainland U.S.
Gov. Felix Camacho, who was on hand to present the award, cited the humble farmer’s commitment to the island’s well-being as reason for winning the prestigious award.
Wusstig, who grew up on a family farm, said he advocates for Guam’s youth to continue the tradition of farming.
“It’s all about sustainability,” said Wusstig, adding that the next generation of farmers is tasked with continuing to protect the island’s agricultural resources.
The new farmer’s market is open Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
