From Vision to Reality: How Local Foods, Local Places (LFLP) and Oasis Fresh Food Market Are Transforming Food Access in Turner Station
On February 22, 2025, the Mrs. Renee Association Foundation (MRAF) led a transformative community trip to Oasis Fresh Food Market, 4145 Indian Head Hwy, Indian Head, MD 20640, giving Turner Station residents an opportunity to experience firsthand the power of a community-driven grocery store.
This trip was inspired by a powerful presentation in Turner Station from Marilyn Steele, co-owner of Oasis Fresh Food Market, who shared her personal journey of launching the store in 2024. Her talk, part of the Local Foods, Local Places (LFLP) initiative, showcased how residents can take ownership of their food systems, combat food insecurity, and build local food economies that serve their own communities.
Her words resonated deeply, sparking hope and determination for Turner Station’s own food security movement.
Turner Station’s Food Desert Crisis: Why This Trip Mattered
For decades, Turner Station has been classified as a food desert—an area with little to no access to fresh, nutritious, and affordable food options.
Census tract 24005421300, which includes Turner Station, reveals the stark realities of food insecurity:
- 67% of the population is Black or African American, a group disproportionately affected by food apartheid.
- Over 50% of households are low-income, making it difficult to afford fresh food.
- More than 25% of households lack access to a personal vehicle, making trips to distant grocery stores a challenge.
- The nearest full-service grocery store is over 4 miles away, forcing many families to rely on corner stores and fast food for daily meals.
Without a local grocery store, residents have been trapped in a cycle of unhealthy eating options, impacting public health, economic stability, and overall community well-being.
Marilyn Steele’s Presentation: How She Opened Oasis Fresh Food Market
In 2024, Marilyn and Mark Steele opened Oasis Fresh Food Market, a locally owned, community-focused grocery store aimed at bringing fresh food access to underserved areas.
Before the MRAF community trip, Marilyn Steele personally visited Turner Station as part of the Local Foods, Local Places (LFLP) initiative, an EPA-backed program that helps communities develop sustainable food systems and local economies.
During her inspirational presentation, she shared:
✅ The Challenges of Opening a Community Grocery Store – How she and her husband faced barriers in funding, zoning, and sourcing fresh, affordable produce.
✅ How Local Ownership Creates Economic Power – The impact of keeping food dollars circulating within the community rather than sending profits to big-box grocery chains.
✅ The Need for Sustainable, Local Food Systems – How supporting local farmers and food suppliers benefits both the economy and the environment.
✅ Advice for Turner Station’s Own Grocery Store Initiative – How to overcome obstacles and mobilize community resources to bring fresh food access closer to home.
Her words deeply inspired Turner Station residents, reinforcing the need to take direct action and build their own food sovereignty through the Turner Station Marketplace project.
A Life-Changing Visit to Oasis Fresh Food Market
Motivated by Marilyn Steele’s story, MRAF sponsored free transportation for Turner Station residents to see firsthand how a locally owned grocery store could thrive.
The group included local advocates, nonprofit leaders, and MRAF board members, all committed to eliminating food insecurity in Baltimore County:
- AnaDel Liberato
- Muriel Gray
- Michael Okwesili
- Nathan Washington
- Renee Scott
- Maurisha Graves-White
- Selma Saunders
- Maxine Waterhouse
- Antuan Scott
As they stepped into Oasis Fresh Food Market, emotions ran high. Some were amazed by the sheer variety of fresh food, while others were overwhelmed by the realization of how much they had been deprived in their own neighborhood.
"I can’t tell you the last time I had the chance to pick from such a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables," said Muriel Gray, a lifelong Turner Station resident. "We need something like this in our own neighborhood. But today, at least, we’re being seen. We’re being valued."
MRAF ensured that cost wasn’t a barrier, providing grocery vouchers to make sure every attendee could leave with fresh food for their families.
Turner Station Marketplace: A New Model for Food Justice
Fueled by this experience, MRAF is now leading the development of the Turner Station Marketplace, a community-owned grocery store and marketplace that will serve as a permanent solution to Turner Station’s food crisis.
Set to open at 419 Main Street, the Turner Station Marketplace will feature:
✅ A full-service grocery store with fresh, affordable produce, dairy, meats, and pantry staples.
✅ A farmer’s market and business incubator to support local farmers and small food businesses.
✅ A nutrition education center, where families can learn about healthy eating, meal planning, and food budgeting.
✅ Employment and job training programs, ensuring the marketplace creates economic opportunities for Turner Station residents.
✅ Sustainable food systems, including urban agriculture, hydroponics, and food waste reduction initiatives.
With support from Marilyn Steele, Local Foods, Local Places, and lessons from Oasis Fresh Food Market, Turner Station is on the path to sustainable, community-led food security.
How You Can Help Bring Fresh Food Access to Turner Station
MRAF is actively seeking partnerships, volunteers, and donors to support the Turner Station Marketplace project. Whether you’re a local farmer, business owner, nonprofit supporter, or advocate for food justice, you can help eliminate food insecurity and build an economic future rooted in fresh food access.
📢 Join the Movement! Visit mrafconnect.org to:
💰 Donate to help fund food security initiatives.
🙌 Volunteer to support nutrition education and local food distribution.
🤝 Partner with MRAF to develop long-term food solutions for the community.
Together, we are #WeStrongerTogether #WST
