Baltimore County's newest farmers' market will bring about 20 area farmers to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. today and every Wednesday through the summer.
Shoppers will find beef, bison, breads, ice cream, fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables at the newest of 13 markets throughout the county.
"This is an attractive new location, especially for people who don't make it down to Towson," said Chris McCollum, agriculture liaison for the county's Department of Economic Development. "These products are in high demand, and the variety offered is spectacular. People can do a good amount of their shopping and support our farmers, too."
The buy-local trend and the demand for fresh foods are spurring sales at the markets, he said.
"People feel more at ease when they can look into the eye of the person who is growing the food," he said.
The county has 751 working farms with 78,200 acres in production. That acreage has increased by 10 percent in the past eight years, according to agricultural census figures.
"The increases we are seeing could well be due to this local movement," McCollum said. "These markets are providing more opportunities for farms to be profitable. Direct-to-consumer sales are helping farms to grown in size and income."
The popular downtown Towson market returns to Allegheny Avenue at 10:45 a.m. Thursday with nearly 50 vendors. Markets in Catonsville, Randallstown, Woodlawn, Pikesville, Eastpoint and Dundalk are gearing up for the growing season.
A full listing with times and location of each market is posted at http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/business.