Only two chances remain to get to the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market. Don’t miss the chance.

Despite an uncooperative Mother Nature —an extremely hot and dry summer —vendors at the twice-weekly market have trumpeted success again this year. We applaud the farmers and artisans who set up shop Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings for six weeks for providing fresh, locally grown vegetables and produce. We applaud the patrons who keep the market in business. We applaud the organizers.

Mississippi routinely ranks as the unhealthiest state in America. “If it can be fried,” an old saying goes, “we will find a way to fry it.” A move toward slimmer waistlines and healthier eating habits is gaining momentum. Vicksburg’s Patrick House became a national media darling by winning NBC’s The Biggest Loser. Local exercise guru Linda Fondren has made it her mission locally to get Vicksburg healthy. She earned a Top 10 finish as one of CNN’s national heros — taken from a worldwide group of nominees.

With offerings of purple hull peas, tomatoes, squash and potatoes, the options for healthy food are plentiful. Not to mention the economic impacts — helping local, mostly family-owned farms.

Then there is the freshness. Many of the goods are picked on the day they are sold.

At the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market, the produce is fresh. It is local. It is healthy.

A win-win for Vicksburg. We already are anticipating the next market’s offerings.