The Albert Lea Farmers Market will open next week and offer a variety of goods.

The first market of the season will be next Wednesday in the municipal parking lot on North Broadway. Wednesday markets are from 3 to 6 p.m.

A market will also be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays along Bridge Avenue in the parking lot of Herberger’s at Northbridge Mall.

The market will run until the end of October.

Farmers market advocate Verlys Huntley said though there will be less of a selection at early markets, there will be many products available, such as asparagus, rhubarb, radishes, kale, craft items, plants and farm-fresh eggs, canned products from jellies and jams to salsa and pickles, as well as maple syrup and craft items.

Huntley said market products are much fresher and taste better than store-bought items because of how soon the items are picked before being sold, noting she thinks farmers markets provide good chances for buyers to help local farmers.

The Albert Lea Farmers Market accepts WIC vouchers and SNAP/EBT cards.

A Market Sprouts program is also available, which allows children to receive a shopping bag and punch a card for each $1 purchase at the market. When they get 10 punches on the card, they qualify for a $1 gift certificate.

Anyone interested in more information can visit the Albert Lea Farmers Market Facebook page.

Huntley expects there to be about 20 to 25 vendors at the events, with more vendors joining as the season goes along. She said some farmers specialize in specific items, such as sweet corn.

The Albert Lea Farmers Market started in 1980 in the Morin Park area and has moved several times since then, Huntley said.

The market will hold numerous events this year:

• May 25: Five-food group activity

• June 22: Strawberry shindig

• July 27: Green bean frenzy

• Aug. 24: Salsa Fest

• Sept. 28: Pumpkin decorating

All events will feature live performances from local musicians.

When is produce available at the market?

May: asparagus,lettuce, radishes, spinach, rhubarb, transplants

June: strawberries, green beans, carrots, beets, potatoes, onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi

July: tomatoes, sweet corn, lettuce, radishes, cucumbers, green beans, zucchini, raspberries, squash, melons, peppers

August: apples, sweet potatoes plus everything above

September and October: everything available