Is there anything better than slicing up a farm fresh tomato or roasting up freshly picked asparagus?

We certainly don’t think so, which is why we are excited for the reopening of the Dowagiac Farm and Artisan Market, which opened for the season Saturday.

The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Wednesdays at the corner of Railroad and Division streets until the end of the season. At the market, visitors can pick up baked goods and fresh produce, including rhubarb, tomatoes, peaches and more. Additionally, artisan vendors will be showing up to the market throughout the summer, selling everything from photography to T-shirts and knitted gear.

It is great to see a farm market in a small community like Dowagiac. The farm and artisan market may not be on the same scale as other local markets, such as the South Bend Farmer’s Market, but it still adds charm and fun to our small city.

The benefits to having a local farmer’s market are numerous. For one, it supports local business. The farmer’s market gives residents a chance to buy fresh produce directly from a local supplier, such as Sprague Farms, a regular vendor. It also gives smaller vendors, such as Suellen Gause, photographer, a place to share their work with the community.

Second, and perhaps, most important, it gives local residents easy access to locally grown healthy foods. These days, it can be hard to access healthy produce, and this is even more true for those who cannot drive to out of town locations to purchase food from larger grocery stores. We appreciate that the farm market offers a place to purchase healthy food within walking distance of Front Street.

So, hats off to the downtown development authority for keeping the farm market alive in our small town, supporting local businesses and keeping our residents healthy. You’ll be sure to see out at the farm market this season.

Opinions expressed are those of general manager Ambrosia Neldon, managing editor Sarah Culton and sports editor Scott Novak.