Rooted in Service: Spokane’s Scale House Market Redefines Local Food and Community
At 17, Brittany Tyler enlisted in the U.S. Navy, seeking structure and purpose. She served for six years as a linguist, decoding signals and supporting intelligence operations as a Petty Officer Second Class. Her work took her overseas, offering a global perspective and instilling the discipline that would later define her civilian mission.
After completing her service in 2010, Tyler pursued her passion for food and hospitality. She earned an associate degree in baking and pastry and a bachelor’s in hospitality management in Baltimore. Working in the restaurant industry, she developed a deeper appreciation for food sourcing and access, recognizing how disconnected many communities were from the ingredients they relied on.
When she returned to Spokane, that awareness became action. She joined the Vets on the Farm program, which supports veterans transitioning into agriculture, and later co-founded Four Roots, a woman- and veteran-owned food resiliency business focused on equitable food distribution.
That path of purpose and service led her to her latest mission: the Scale House Market.
At the end of May, Spokane’s Scale House Market opened its doors as the region’s first year-round farmers market, a place where nutrition, community, and opportunity intersect. Operated by Four Roots and developed in partnership with the Spokane Conservation District, the market is already reshaping the region’s food landscape.
Enhance Food Security
Located on the Quarry Campus in Spokane Valley, the Scale House Market was created to address the persistent challenge of food insecurity. By hosting a consistent, year-round marketplace for fresh produce, dairy, meat, and pantry items, it connects local producers directly to consumers and strengthens the regional food chain. According to Tyler, “Veterans are wired for service. You come home looking for the next mission. For me, it was food, real food, local food, and making sure it reached the people who need it most.”
Support Local Economies
The Scale House Market supports over 65 farms and food producers across the region and is projected to generate more than $14 million in local sales while creating 155 new jobs. This economic engine prioritizes women-, minority-, and veteran-owned businesses and demonstrates how food systems can serve as pillars of inclusive development.
Promote Nutrition Education
A dedicated community kitchen within the market is designed to teach families how to prepare nutritious meals with the foods available at the market. Hands-on workshops and cooking demonstrations support the broader goal of empowering healthier eating habits and reconnecting people to the food they consume.
Foster Community Engagement
The market functions as more than just a retail venue, it’s a gathering place. On opening day, families mingled with farmers, children danced to live music, and local organizations hosted booths nearby. “It’s not just what we eat,” Tyler says. “It’s who we share it with.”
Ensure Equitable Access
Through initiatives like the SNAP Produce Rewards program, the market facilitates over $320,000 in annual food assistance transactions. This ensures that low-income residents have the same access to fresh, local food as others in the community. “No one should have to choose between rent and nutrition,” Tyler says. “This market helps close that gap.”
The Mission Continues
Brittany Tyler’s post-service journey reflects a quiet transformation from military linguist to food systems leader. At every stage, whether decoding foreign signals or streamlining local food logistics, she has remained mission-focused. “Some people think service ends when the uniform comes off,” she reflects. “But it doesn’t. It just changes shape.”
