The Warren Farmers' Market is growing more than produce this year.
According to organizer Josie Gerarde, the market has extended the dates it will be open and will be offering items from six new vendors in 2012.
The new vendors will bring the total to approximately 30, though participants may occasionally vary.
The expansion wasn't without challenges. The larger vendor list will require an extra row of booths outside the loop formation which has been used in previous years. The extra row required the approval of the Warren City Council.
"Its a nice variety," Gerarde said. "We want to stress the saying, 'buy fresh, buy local'."
The market will have a start date of June 16 this year and be held every Saturday until the end of October, "rain or shine".
This expanded schedule allows a longer shopping season, but Gerarde noted some vendors won't be able to participate until after the traditional start date following the Fourth of July.
"A lot of our vendors are used to starting after the 4th," Gerarde said. "Some of the vendors won't be there at first."
Gift certificate giveaways will double this year. According to Gerarde, customers who spend at least five dollars at the market will be entered in a gift certificate drawing for $25 held every other week. The certificates can only be used at the market. Drawings were held once a month last year.
Gerarde herself will be be offering handouts with recipes at the market. The handouts will feature a different food available at the market each week.
"It's in order to encourage people to use fruits and vegetables and things available at the market," Gerarde noted.
According to the market's website at www.warrenag.org/farmermarket.htm, the offering at the market will include, "fruit, vegetables, baked goods, plants, herbs, honey, flowers, eggs, maple syrup, jelly, jam, candy, gourmet dog treats, salsa, meats and meat products."
The farmers' market will be open from 8 a.m. until noon every Saturday in the city parking lot behind the Conewango Club.