Staff Report

A fresh season kicks off for the Suffolk Farmers’ Market this weekend.

The farmers market will be open for the season at 8 a.m. today at Market Park in downtown Suffolk, next to the Seaboard Station Railroad Museum. It will be open until noon each Saturday through Sept. 30.

The market will offer a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, organic breads and muffins, eggs, frozen free-range hens, preserves, honey, cut flowers and other homegrown favorites. Throughout the summer, the Suffolk Farmers’ Market will host free family-friendly activities and entertainment, said Theresa Earles, tourism development coordinator for the city.

The 2006 Suffolk Farmers’ Market includes the following vendors: Dismal Acres, The Empty Nest, Full Quiver Farm, Hedgepeth Farms, Hidden Knoll, Just for the Health of It, the O’Brien Farm, The Real Bread Shop, Rivendell Farm, Three Sisters Berry Farm and Vick Farms.

The farmers market is founded on the concept of preserving the city’s rural

heritage and cultural diversity through wholesome family activities, Earles said. Within the city, there are 1,296 farms comprising 59,114 acres in agricultural production.

The mark is open to regional producers and serves as a venue for the sale of agricultural products and complementary goods benefiting the farming community, residents and visitors. To become a vendor, contact Lynette White at the Suffolk Visitor Center at 923-3880.