Local Grocery Reopened in Marks Restores Food Access and Jobs

For several years after the county’s only full-service supermarket closed in 2017, Quitman County residents traveled long distances to buy fresh produce, meat and dairy. That gap in retail food access affected household budgets, dietary choices and public health while sending grocery dollars out of the county. The arrival of Jeffcoat’s Family Market in Marks aims to reverse those trends by providing neighborhood-scale full-service grocery shopping close to home.

Locally operated by James and Doris Jeffcoat, the store supplies produce, meat, dairy and dry goods and emphasizes affordability and community service. The reopening and continued operation have been supported through a mix of public and private funding, including the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, USDA-related assistance in past project phases, and state matching funds. Local economic development officials and community groups helped secure funds and guided renovations that upgraded refrigeration and building infrastructure to make the business commercially viable.

The economic effects are immediate and measurable. The market creates and sustains full- and part-time jobs, keeps more consumer spending in Quitman County, and channels additional sales-tax revenue to local government. For local farmers and producers, having an in-county buyer strengthens market opportunities for locally grown produce and value-added goods, helping to stabilize farm incomes and increase demand for local agricultural output.

Household-level impacts are also significant. Residents who once faced 30-90 minute round trips to purchase fresh groceries now spend less time and money traveling and gain easier access to perishable proteins and fresh produce. That increased availability can support better nutrition and lower food-related health risks over time, particularly in a community where retail food options were previously limited.

Beyond immediate benefits, the market functions as an economic anchor. In rural counties with sparse retail services, a single grocery can influence employment, local tax bases, and the attractiveness of a community for other businesses and services. Jeffcoat’s Family Market is positioned as a tangible step toward reversing long-term retail declines in Quitman County and toward rebuilding a more resilient local food system.

Sustained success will depend on continued community patronage, effective operations, and ongoing support for infrastructure and supply relationships that connect the store with local producers. For residents, the store represents both daily convenience and a broader investment in the county’s economic and public health future.