Farmers' Market kicks off in Holyoke

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - The Holyoke Farmers’ Market kicked-off Thursday morning in front of Holyoke City Hall. It included singing and the raising of the Special Olympics flag.

Farmers from a number of farms across western Massachusetts were on hand with a variety of fresh vegetables and flowers.

Flowers of course were in high demand with Mother's Day on the way this weekend.

Although it's pretty early in the season there were also some fresh vegetables available. Asparagus, lettuce, broccoli, parsley and tomato plants were all pretty popular.

“I usually come here because they got more variety, everyone puts out their best. In a store you've got what they have here you got a pick up and down the line so it's much better,” said Walter Merkel of South Hadley.

So far most farmers we talked to said this growing season is off to a pretty good start.

“Well we started April quite warm and dry. The rain we had the last few days has been very helpful. It helps germinate some of the seeds we put in beans etc.,” said John Spineti of  Twin Oaks Farms in Feeding Hills.

“So far it's been an average year and ... I can't say it's been much different than other years,” said Bob Johnson of Johnson Farm of Deerfield.

The Farmers’ Market will take place in Holyoke every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. through October in front of city hall.

In the coming months you can look forward to sweet corn, summer squash, cucumbers and a variety of other vegetables.