Patricia DiFrancesco Banning has been on a mission to make locally grown food and other healthy resources available in the North Buffalo community. On Thursday, June 19th her hard work will come to fruition, pun intended, with the opening of the North Buffalo Farmers Market.

The initiative is a partnership between the farmers market, North Buffalo.org , and Holy Spirit Church where the market will be held on Thursdays from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM through November 6th. Councilman Michael LoCurto and the Hertel North Buffalo Business Association are also providing support.

The new farmers market will offer organic and locally grown produce, fresh coffee, organic juice and smoothies, baked goods, breads, pasta, organic honey, and all-natural skincare products.

“This will be a ‘soft’ opening,” according to Banning who serves as Market Manager. “It is still early in the growing season. And we have additional vendors who will be testing out the market to gauge community response as we progress .”

In addition to supporting local farmers and encouraging healthy eating, the North Buffalo Farmers Market hopes to create a weekly social event for the community. Some musicians have expressed an interest in performing at the market as a way to promote themselves. Banning is also working with different food truck vendors to set up shop on Hertel near Delaware Avenue where Holy Spirit Church is located.

The market will be closed the week of July 17th so volunteers and their families can attend the annual North Buffalo Italian Festival sponsored by the Hertel North Buffalo Business Association.

North Buffalo businesses and community organizations are invited to promote their products and services as well. For more information, visit North Buffalo Farmers Market.