2021 was the most successful year ever for Columbia’s Farmers Market

The popular Columbia Farmers Market opens Saturday morning to kick off its 42^nd season.

The Farmers Market is located on West Ash, near the Arc. It offers fresh produce, meat, farm-fresh eggs, cheese and plants.

Columbia Farmers Market executive director Corrina Smith says the market saw its best year in 2021, with about 133,000 shoppers visiting the market.

It will be open Saturday from 8 to noon.

The Biden administration has awarded a $1.3 million federal grant to expand Columbia’s farmers market. The funding is coming from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and the Commerce Department says the project will create 88 new jobs.

The Commerce Department also says the grant will increase the capacity for local vendors to sell their products.