The Downtown Marquette Farmers Market, which is operated by the Downtown Development Authority, is scheduled to open Saturday in the Marquette Commons. Pictured, Theresa Raikko of Harvey, left, and Wanda Bell of Marquette check out the plants on sale at the opener of a recent Downtown Marquette Farmers Market. (Journal file photo)

MARQUETTE — The first market of the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market’s 23rd season will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at The Commons in Marquette.

This year the market has updated hours, a new market layout to allow for full capacity, and, after a two-year hiatus, programming, said the DMFM in a news release.

“It feels really good to be back at full capacity after an interesting past few seasons,” said Sara Johnson, market manager. “We’re excited and ready to have this season feel more like years past with regular programming, a full plaza of vendors and hopefully some music as well.”

The DMFM offers three market seasons. The Saturday Morning Market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 19, with no market on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. New this year, the Holiday Market will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from Dec. 3-17.

The Wednesday Evening Market is back for its third season. This mid-week market runs June 15-Sept. 21, starting an hour earlier from from 4 to 7 p.m.

All markets are located at The Commons at 112 S. Third St.

Shoppers will be greeted with a new market layout this year, featuring 60 local vendors each Saturday. The new market layout will feature farmers, growers, food producers and artisans offering a bevy of local goods for sale. Shoppers can choose from fresh, locally grown, seasonal produce, baked goods, locally raised meat and eggs, kombucha, coffee, bread, hot sauce and more.

Artisans will offer handcrafted goods such as soaps, lotions, jewelry, woodworking products and knitted products, among others. The information booth will ne located under the overhang near the Commons building itself.

The Community Table, which was piloted last season, will also be back. These two tables are reserved for local businesses, nonprofits and groups as an opportunity to connect with the Marquette community. This season, shoppers can interact with local groups such as Social Justice For Us, Marquette Regional History Center, Freshcoast Wellness Co., Campfire CoWorks and more. Interested groups are encouraged to submit an application to reserve a spot at www.mqtfarmersmarket. com/apply.

A full lineup of programming and events can be found on the market’s event calendar on its website.

Highlights include:

≤ Yoga at the Market: 9:45-10:45 a.m. Saturdays from June through October. This bring-your-own-mat, all-level class is donation-based, with a portion of all proceeds going to the market. All classes are taught by the Pinecone Yoga Institute.

≤ Power of Produce Children’s Program, operated by Partridge Creek Farm. This program will run Saturdays from July 2-Aug. 20. Kids under the age of 12 can try new fruits and vegetables each week, then purchase produce from local farmers with a $2 voucher.

≤ Food Navigator Program: The Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency health education team will be at select Saturday morning markets from May through September teaching shoppers how to maximize food assistance benefits, shop on a budget and prepare healthy meals.

≤ Food demonstrations from the Marquette Food Co-op. Learn how to make the most of seasonal spring, summer and fall produce at select Saturday markets.

Shoppers can now plan for their market visit by using new resources available on the market’s website. The new interactive market map allows shoppers to search for vendors and products, learn more about each vendor and map their shopping experience accordingly.

Additionally, the Meet Our Vendors page provides shoppers with detailed information about each vendor, including specific offerings, accepted payment types and which dates they will be at the market.

Links to these resources can be found on the market’s homepage at www.mqtfarmersmarket.com.

The DMFM will continue to accept payment from a wide array of food assistance programs including EBT Bridge Card, P-EBT Card, Double Up Food Bucks, WIC Project FRESH and Sr. Project FRESH. Hoop Houses for Health has been discontinued for this season. The DMFM will participate in the new Food as Medicine, Prescription for Health program. Participating patients may shop with their vouchers at the DMFM.

More information about accepted forms of payment can be found on the DMFM website at www.mqtfarmersmarket.com/paymentoptions.

For up-to-date information about the DMFM, follow it on Facebook and Instagram @mqtfarmersmarket or visit www.mqtfarmersmarket.com to join the e-newsletter mailing list.