The Kingston Farmers Market is up and rolling. The first three weeks of operation — May 1, 8, and 15 — saw more than 45 vendors each week, with a lot of fresh produce, baked goods, and new artisans. In June, there are four Saturdays and four great opportunities for you to visit the market, buy fresh and local, hear great music, and just wander the Mike Wallace Park in the (we hope) sunshine!

Here’s the lineup for Music at the market for the month of June:

• June 5, Kel Schmitz; smooth country-pop;

• June 12, Jim Bybee, and it’s Kids Day at the market;

• June 19, Ronnda Cadle; and

• June 26, Mike Murray, finger-picked folk guitar and banjo.

Also during June, we celebrate our youngsters being finished with another school year, or enjoying their last summer before the new one begins.

On June 12, the market is sponsoring Kids Day, with a fun assortment of kid-friendly activities ranging from a scavenger hunt to face painting, to juggling demonstrations and a chance for your kids to try it for themselves.

Then on Saturdays throughout the rest of the market season, we will be sponsoring different kids’ activities, like the beaded bracelet-making table we had the day before Mother’s Day. The Kingston Farmers Market is about our vendors; it’s also about each other — a place to meet and greet and enjoy the sunshine.

Speaking of friends and families, it seems that most of us know someone who is down on their luck right now. The food banks are doing record business and homeless shelters (and hidden camping spots in Kingston) are at capacity.

This affects all of us, and especially children and young people. The Greater Kingston Kiwanis Club invited me to speak last week about the Farmers Market season and we got to talking about ways for local growers to help feed the homeless and hungry. So, this month I will be trying to work with some local ministries to see if we can coordinate donations.

Another idea: encourage people in our community — that’s you — to plant a row for the hungry. And then, as your crop comes to harvest, connect (maybe at the market information booth) donations with a Kiwanis coordinator. We’re going to try to figure that out in June — watch for more information at the market information booth and in this column in early July.

Please, plant a row during June while the sun is shining.

Contact: Mary McClure, president, Kingston Farmers Market (360) 297-2256.