The farmers’ market will return with a new look next Saturday at 8 a.m.

and will remain open until all of the produce is purchased.

A new location at 2nd and Vernon streets has been selected for the farmers to set up shop.

The construction of the City National Bank forced the market to relocate but the city accommodated the farmers by providing a new location, Mayor Rich Blankenship said.

“It’s the history of Ironton and we didn’t want to stop it,” Blankenship said. “I know there are a lot of residents that go there on Saturday mornings. We felt like it was necessary for us to provide a place for them to go.”

Judy Balmer, the longest serving member of the farmers’ market, said the market has been an essential part of the city for about 20 years.

She said it is a source of income for the farmers and provides safe and costly produce for residents.

“They can come get fresh vegetables,” Balmer said. “They can know where they came from, where they’ve been and even see where it’s been grown.”

She said the high fuel and fertilizer prices make it important for farmers to have a market to sell to.

The market has relocated twice, Balmer said.

“We used to meet at the other end of town and pull up alongside of the street,” she said. “Then, we moved to where we are now. And now, it’s time to move again.”

Balmer said the market offers more than a place for residents to buy fresh produce and farmers a market to make money.

“It’s also a great social place,” she said. “People come, shop and visit with people they haven’t seen since last year.”

Balmer said this year the market will sell green beans, squash, cucumbers, zucchini and other vegetables. She also said she will sell jams, jellies, pickles and pure honey as she has in the past.

Some vegetables will not be sold the first week because they are not quite ready, she said.

For more information, contact Judy Balmer at

(740) 643-2196.