The Lawrence Farmers Market is back for another year.

It’s a sure — and welcome — sign of spring when the Lawrence Farmers Market returns to town.

The market will begin its season Saturday morning in the city parking lot in the 1000 block of Vermont Street. It’s a day that is eagerly awaited by area residents who come to the market to sell or buy locally produced produce, plants and other products.

An interesting new feature for the market this year is the addition of food coupons, supplied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that will be distributed to elderly residents so they can purchase produce at the market. Getting to the market may be difficult for some of those people, but hopefully transportation can be arranged so they will be able not only to buy fresh food but enjoy the festive atmosphere of the market.

The crowd that gathers at the market on Saturday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday afternoons is a wonderful blend of Lawrence people of all ages and from all walks of life. It’s one of the real joys of summer to walk through the market, see everyone you know and walk away with handfuls of fresh flowers or food.

Thanks to all those who maintain this wonderful downtown tradition.