Tents and crates are becoming a familiar scene on Federal Plaza.
Three years ago, the Downtown Farmers Market set up shop with a menu not normally associated with the heart of the city.
Every Tuesday, visitors can peruse the fresh produce or tempt their taste buds with homemade baked goods.
Josephine Williams sells her items downtown.
"I have baked goods, that's my talent," said Williams. "I have sweet potato pies. I have oatmeal raisin cookies, 7-Up cake and apple nut pound cake."
Every Tuesday through October, vendors will come from all over the Valley and even western Pennsylvania. Organizers hope to bring their products to people who may not have easy access to them.
"There are a variety of high rise elderly apartments and we are able to accept the Ohio direction card, which is a form of food stamp program," said Jim Converce, market manager. "So that makes it possible for a lot of people who couldn't otherwise buy very much to become customers also."
And over the years, the farmers market gained some loyal shoppers.
Customer Annette El-Hayek walks down from YSU for the produce.
"I come down whenever I can," she said. "If the weather is good, I walk down during my lunch break and buy some produce. I just called my colleagues up to let them know its back up and running again."
Organizers expect business to pick up with the addition of the new call center. They typically draw a few hundred customers each week.
