KALAMAZOO, MI -- The Kalamazoo Farmers Market will open Saturday for another season of fresh fruits and vegetables and unique retailers.

The market is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays through May. Beginning June 2, it will be open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

In these first few weeks, the options for local produce will still be limited but customers can find rhubarb, asparagus and some winter store vegetables such as potatoes and garlic, said Chris Broadbent, farmers markets manager for People's Food Co-op. There will also be the usual retailers selling baked goods, meats and prepared items such as salsas.

Broadbent said at the peak of the season there will be about 125 produce growers and retailers at the market, which is located at 1204 Bank St. More than 185 businesses applied to be a part of the farmers market.

Customers can expect several changes this year, including expansion of the market's influence in the surrounding neighborhood. A new indoor artisan market is opening tonight during Art Hop at 1315 Portage St. It will be open during farmers market hours. Starting in June, the parking lot at that site will have an open-air market with vendors and food producers.

"We hope to engage residents from the local neighborhoods by providing a space for them to sell products and to operate start-up businesses, such as cottage food businesses," he said. "We want to find a way for people to recognize they have something to contribute or to gain by participating in the market."

Another major effort has been to provide additional parking at the Bank Street site, Broadbent said. Over the course of the season, they'll be adding parking to the south of the market and parking lots in areas to the north and northwest of the market, across the railroad tracks. Customers are also encouraged to park in the Upjohn Park and Kik Pool lots and walk to the market, he said.

"Overall, as we continue the grow, the vision of the Kalamazoo Market on Bank Street is that it would be a spot for produce sellers and added-value sellers. We hope to have a healthy mix," Broadbent said.

People's Food Co-op pays the city $17,000 annually to operate the market on Bank Street. The co-op, in turn, manages the market, including farmers, produce dealers, artisans and specialty food vendors. The city owns and maintains the 4.12-acre lot and its structures at 1204 Bank St. The three-year contract runs through 2015, with the option for three one-year renewals.

This year will see the return of the "Night Markets" from 6 to 10 p.m. during select Thursday during the selling season: July 16, Aug. 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 15. On July 9, the market is partnering with the Kalamazoo Growlers to host a night market at Homer Stryker Field, 251 Mills St.

"We're loving what's happening at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market and with the local food movement growing at a rapid pace," Broadbent said. "We're trying to meet that need for our consumers and the community members.

"People's Food co-op's mission is to create access to food for people and the community. Operating the Kalamazoo Farmers Market helps us achieve that mission and connect people with food."

Linda S. Mah is a reporter for the Kalamazoo Gazette. Reach her at 269-303-6567 or her at lmah@mlive.com. You can follow her on Twitter.