7:30 a.m.
Sunday, June 25, 2017 7:27 am

C'MON AND GET A FREE RIDE: Steve Collins of Bellgian Meadows Farm in Lebanon will be on hand for the Rochester Farmers Market ribbon cutting on Tuesday. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - The city's Farmer's Market will return for its second summer season on Tuesday with more than 24 vendors.

There will be a ribbon cutting at 3:30 p.m. and as part of the grand opening Steve Collins of Belgians Meadow Farm will have his horses and wagon on hand for free rides.

July 4 will also be a special "Vouchers For Veterans Day." The market is still accepting SNAP/EBT cards as well.

The Rochester Farmer's Market serves as an opportunity for residents to shop for locally sourced foods and learn new and innovative ways to prepare them while developing a stronger sense of community.

"We wanted to make sure we not only succeeded in providing local, nutritious foods from local farmers, but also create a community gathering space where everyone could come together to enjoy some local entertainment and catch up," Economic Development Specialist and market co-founder Jenn Marsh said. "We did just that in our first season, so we are eager to see the market return this summer."

To help make the market accessible to everyone, the Farmer's Market has partnered with Seacoast Eat Local and earned a grant from HEAL NH that will allow vendors to accept the SNAP/EBT card.

"We are extremely grateful to Rochester Main Street, the city and our sponsors for their enthusiastic support of the market since the beginning of this effort," Marsh said. "This would not have been possible without them."