Last weekend the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market kicked off its season with fresh fruits, vegetables, jam, jellies and more.

The Vicksburg Farmers’ Market, a Mississippi Certified Farmers’ Market, is located on the corner of Jackson and Washington streets Wednesdays from 3–7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8-11 a.m.

Market manager Sonny Hale said he’s been working with the farmers’ market for four years but it’s been going on in Vicksburg for eight years.

“On Wednesdays it’s mostly produce,” he said. “We have a problem right now because farmers were late getting into their fields.”

Hale said the farmers have had trouble getting out into their fields because of the difficult weather.

“Those that usually are here on Wednesdays weren’t able to make it because they don’t have anything to sell,” he said. “We’re having a problem getting our Mississippi crops in.”

The outlook is better for Saturdays.

“Saturday they will fall in line and we’ll have good crowds,” he said. “We had 11 vendors this past Saturday, which is pretty good for opening day.”

Hale said the number will continue to rise up to about 14 vendors, and from there the total will shift a little each week.

“In two weeks we’ll be on top of the world,” he said.

New vendors join the market all the time, Hale said.

“Saturday we’ll have a new vendor with local honey sales,” he said. “Others bring young squash and tomatoes and grains.”

The farmers’ market is all about promoting local produce, Hale said.

“When you buy local produce, you’re buying it from the farmer,” he said. “If you want to know how it’s grown or what type of pesticides were used on it, you’re talking to the man who did it.”

It’s a unique way to shop for food, Hale said.

“It’s hard to beat food that goes from the farm straight to the farmers’ market table,” he said. “If you are interested in nutrition, vegetables and produce, once they travel so far, they lose some nutrition, and you’re not losing as much when you pick it Wednesday and sell it Saturday.”

Hale said he thinks the health aspect is one of the biggest reasons the farmers’ market has done so well in Vicksburg.

“The market has been a pretty big success here in Vicksburg,” he said. “We’re real pleased.”

For more information visit www.vicksburgfarmersmarket.org or call 601-801-3513.