The Vernon Farmers Market returns for a five-week run on Thursday, July 23, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Henry Park Pavilion, 120 South St. The remaining farmers markets on July 30 and Aug. 6, 13 and 20 will be followed by the Mayor Dan Champagne Summer Concert series at 6:30 p.m. at Henry Park.

The Vernon Farmers Market features a variety of vendors offering everything from locally-sourced meats to fresh produce and baked goods, as well as food trucks, local artisans and entertainment.

This is the third year of the revived Vernon Farmers Market, organized with the goal of enabling Vernon families to purchase fresh produce and other foods directly from the source and close to home.

“It’s great to be able to purchase top quality vegetables, fruits and meats that are coming directly from the field to the farmers market to our residents’ tables,” Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said. “That’s good for our community and for local farmers.”

Vernon Social Services has programs to help some families’ dollars go further. The market accepts SNAP and the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program. People with SNAP can double their SNAP benefits up to $20.

Also, Vernon Social Services has preloaded debit cards for people 60 and older who are income-eligible for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Single people must have annual income of no more than $29,526 $2,461 a month). For two-person households, maximum annual income is $40,034 ($3,337 per month.)

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers can be used at the Vernon Farmers Market, the Ellington Farmers Market and other authorized markets in the region.

For more information, call Vernon Social Services at 860-870-3661.

People who don’t have cars or access to transportation can get a free ride to the Vernon Farmers Market via the Hockanum Valley Community Council. The Vernon Farmers Market is providing the service thanks to Waverly Markets/Shoprite of Vernon, the market sponsor.

“We are grateful to Waverly Markets/Shoprite of Vernon for providing this service to our residents,” Market Master Annie Geitner said. “We are all about making sure all of our residents have access to the nutritious foods that will be available at the market.”

To obtain a free ride, call HVCC at 860-870-7940 the week of the market, and no later than 3 p.m. on the day of the market.

Waverly Markets/Shoprite of Vernon will also have dieticians at each market who will provide nutrition information, recipes and information about delivery services.

For more information about the Vernon Farmers Market, visit: https://www.vernon-ct.gov/page/farmers-market