The Pike Farmers Market will open as planned on Saturday, June 1 on the back parking lot of First United Methodist Church in Troy.

The farmers’ market will follow the same schedule as last year, from 7 until 11 a.m. on Saturdays and from 5 p.m. until on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Market manager Cliff Boutwell said several producers have registered for this year’s market and more are expected to sign on as the season continues.

“Buck Campbell will be back along with Nick D’Andrea, John Collins, Greens of Pronto and Sybileen House,” Boutwell said. “We should have between eight and 10 producers when the market gets into full swing.”

The market will open June 1 with a variety of vegetables and fruits.

“We’ll have blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, along with new red potatoes, squash, okra, turnips, collards, kale, green beans, beets, onions and probably some lettuce and cucumbers,” Boutwell said. “As the season goes along, we’ll have more produce, including tomatoes, peaches, watermelons, cantaloupe, corn of all kinds and eggplant.”

Boutwell said a variety of baked goods will be available from time to time.

“When you talk about farm fresh, you’re talking about the farmer’s market,” he said. “The produce we’ll have will be picked right before it is trucked to the market,” he said. “You can’t get it any fresher unless you pick it yourself.”

Boutwell said that by supporting the local farmer’s market, customers are getting farm fresh produce and putting a little jingle in the pockets of local producers.

“We need to support our farmers because they put food on our tables,” he said.

As a reminder, Boutwell said the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program vouchers have been mailed and can be redeemed at the Pike Farmers Market.

He encouraged the seniors who have qualified for the program to check their mail so as not to overlook the vouchers.