Once earmarked for an oil refinery, Harbour View in North Suffolk is set for something entirely different — organic produce for sale in the open air.

The bi-weekly Harbour View Community Farmers’ Market will get under way April 19, with a range of healthy foods available direct from local farms, co-organizer David Adam said.

On a five-acre lot on the corner of Hampton Roads Parkway and Harbour View Boulevard, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays until the end of October, the market promises a treat for food aficionados.

“Batten Bay Farm will be selling the whole gamut of organic vegetables; Broken Arrow Farm will have grass-fed beef, all-natural chickens and other things; and Russell’s Seafood will have fresh seafood,” Adam, the former owner of Russell’s Seafood, added.

“We’re doing it because, basically, we see the community support for it.”

The idea for a farmers’ market at Harbour View came, according to Adam, from Lucille Copeland, now in her 90s, who farmed the area with her late husband Tom from 1940 till 1994.

That’s when developer Bob Williams, who presented the farmers’ markets plan to the city of Suffolk and obtained the necessary permits, began developing the area into today’s modern shopping and business precinct.

Adam said site owner Chicago Bridge and Iron Company had once planned an oil refinery, but the land had sat unused for years.

Other farmers’ market proponents include Hampton Roads state delegate Johnny Joannou and Suffolk attorney Jesse Johnson.

“I was able to contact Bob Williams and talk to him, and he has graciously let (us) use the site,” Johnson said. “We helped him with the process through the city, and they were very gracious.”

He said a North Suffolk farmers’ market would complement the existing farmers’ market in downtown Suffolk, as well as the range of food available from local grocery chains.

“I think it will be a terrific asset to the area,” he said.

Market entry and parking will be free, Adam said.

David Adam can be contacted on 715-2505 for more information.