Do your health and your community a favor by visiting the first market of the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market’s 23rd season to find some locally grown items and to support area farmers and other product producers.

The kickoff market will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at The Commons in downtown Marquette.

The market this year 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.

In the release, Sara Johnson, market manager, said: “It feels really good to be back at full capacity after an interesting past few seasons. 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.”

As we come out of the coronavirus pandemic, the DMFM in 2022 offers three market seasons.

The first is the Saturday Morning Market which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 19, with no market on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

New in 2022, the Holiday Market will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays from Dec. 3-17.

Then, back for its third season, the Wednesday Evening Market runs June 15-Sept. 21, starting an hour earlier from 4 to 7 p.m.

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

Also this year, shoppers will discover a new market layout, 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 be located under the overhang near the Commons building itself.

Back for a second season is The Community Table, which was piloted last season. These two tables are reserved for local businesses, nonprofits and groups as an opportunity to connect with the Marquette community. 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.

We hope the first market of the season is busy with people finding delicious local food and other products to purchase and bring home. Not only are you buying healthy items, you’re supporting the local supply chain, a worthwhile effort indeed.