As you walk among the stands at the Columbia Farmers Market, you can feel the sense of community and see the pride each vendor takes in their products.

Real farmers and artisans bring healthy, locally grown products to sell to their community, and community members show up week after week, reusable bags in hand, to purchase local produce.

At the farmers market, you have the option to buy a variety of local products for affordable prices, and you help members of your community to boot.

Saturday was the market’s opening day, and it did not disappoint.

The Columbia Farmers Market has been around for 35 years and has grown to an average of 80 members per year. There were about 20 vendors present for spring’s opening day.

“It gets bigger in the summer, just grows and grows, but we will always be here,” Jeannie Nobis from Grandma Barb’s Pies says.

Their stand has been at the Columbia Farmers Market for nine years now, as well as other events around the city.

“It’s extremely important to know where your food comes from,” Market Manager Corrina Rhea Smith says. “When shopping at a farmers market, you have the opportunity to talk directly to the farmer that grew or raised your food. In addition, you are ensuring that 100 percent of your dollar goes back into the pocket of the farmer, compared to a grocery store where only an average of 16 cents on the dollar goes back to the farmer. The farmers market is a great weekly community event with food, music and friendly farmers.”

When it comes to the events the farmer’s market has to offer, there is something for everyone.

Vendors sell everything from eggs, meats and cheeses to baked goods, herbs, plants, flowers, handmade pottery and soaps.

With the help of a Specialty Crop grant, [there will be a new children’s program](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2014/10/15/usda-gives-grant-to-expand-farmers-markets/) at the market, The Good Food Detectives Club. There will be interactive activities as well as a take home activity book, teaching kids about eating healthy and local. After participating in the activities, the kids will be rewarded with Fruit & Veggie Bucks to spend at the market.

For music lovers, there is a different artist or band performing each week.

The Columbia Farmers Market has been a longstanding tradition for some.

Patron Brandon Vair has gone to the market every week since he was a kid. He frequents The Veggie Patch’s stand among many others.

Others are newer to the scene.

Oscar Wilcox, a vendor who owns Oscar Jay’s Gourmet Pies, says Saturday was one of his first outdoor markets. The day went well for him, and he sold out in the first two hours.

Whether you are new to Columbia or have lived here for years, the market is worth checking out. Nothing beats strolling the tents on a beautiful Saturday morning getting the freshest produce Columbia has to offer. With something new to try virtually every week, it’s worth visiting and maybe even making it a weekly ritual for all of your homegrown needs.

_For a list of events, vendors, hours and an overall great source of information visit the [farmers market’s site.](www.columbiafarmersmarket.org.)_