MOUNT VERNON — One of downtown’s favorite weekend traditions will return to the Public Square beginning on Saturday, May 3.

The Mount Vernon Farmers Market is the place to be on Saturday mornings May through October for locally grown fruits and vegetables, locally raised beef, chicken, pork and eggs, honey, maple syrup, baked goods, unique jellies, flowers, personal care products and more.

All vendors grow or produce what they sell within 25 miles of downtown, making this a truly local market. There are many advantages of eating locally grown fruits and vegetables. Freshly harvested produce contains more nutrients and tastes better. When you purchase local products, you are helping the local economy.

More than 25 vendors have signed up to participate this year. Many are returning and there will also be some new faces. All produce vendors are required to take Good Agriculture Practices training from OSU Extension Knox County. This training assures that fruits and vegetables are produced and handled to maximize food safety. All cottage foods are labeled with name and address, ingredients and weight.

Once again, the market is making it possible for consumers of all income levels to shop there. SNAP program participants can bring their card to the market booth to redeem benefits for tokens to spend. Also, Produce Perks will be matched with their SNAP amount up to $25. The SNAP tokens can be used for anything edible but Produce Perks can only be used for fruits and vegetables.

Later in the season the Knox County Task Force for Older Adults will be on hand to distribute tokens to seniors aged 60 and up.

Shoppers can find out more by following the market on Facebook and Instagram. Listen to updates on the first Friday of each month on WMVO during the AM Knox County program at 10 am.

For more information, contact the Market Coordinator, Millie Potter at farmersmarketmountvernon@gmail.com or call 740-668-4822.