Times Observer photo by Delaney Chase Warren residents shop for produce at Small Meadows Farm vendor booth at Saturday's farm and craft market

Each Saturday morning, shoppers fill the Midtown parking lot as vendors set up fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers and more at the Warren farm and crafts market.

Open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon, the market features about 19 vendors offering a variety of locally grown and homemade products. For many shoppers, arriving early means the best selection of fresh produce.

One of the market’s longtime vendors Carl Schultz of Small Meadows Farm, said they have participated in the market for most of its history.

“We only sell what we grow,” Schultz said. “We do not buy anything in.”

According to Schultz, freshness is one of the market’s biggest advantages over grocery stores.

“It’s a lot better than what you get at the store,” Schultz said. “Everything we have is either picked on Thursday or Friday.”

The steady stream of customers each Saturday shows the value of having locally grown food available, Schultz added.

Returning vendors the Borden Family are back at the market this year after previously selling there years ago. While the business does not focus on traditional produce, it specializes in compact plants for people with limited gardening space.

“We’re trying to help people out that don’t have gardens,” Borden said. “We sell mostly plants and vegetables that can stay in pots or on tabletops like mini peppers, mini tomatoes and mini sunflowers.”

Borden said he believes farmers markets benefit the community by giving customers confidence in where their food comes from.

“You know what you’re buying,” Borden said. “You know it doesn’t have all the preservatives in it.”

Although locally grown products may sometimes cost slightly more than store-bought alternatives, Borden said many shoppers appreciate the quality and freshness.

The market continues to serve as a gathering for residents looking to support local growers while purchasing seasonal produce, flowers and plants directly from people who raise them.