New crop of shoppers sprouts at farmers' market (12 photos)

A new generation of shoppers is frequenting Algoma Farmers' Market.

Jessyka Desjardins started shopping at the popular Sault market about three years ago, while she was pregnant for her daughter, Elli Nirkkola (shown).

Desjardins said she started to shop there because she wanted to eat healthier and shop locally.

Now, she brings Elli, who's two years old, to the market, for the variety of fresh local products available.

"The difference between store-bought and bought fresh from a farm, you just can't beat it, seriously!" said Desjardins at the season opening of Algoma Farmers' Market today.

Jessyka and Elli went home with some tomato plants to put in their own garden.

And, some ideas of what to put on their list for their next trip to the market.

"I was pumped when I saw that they had smoked fish this year," Desjardins said, gesturing toward the table where Laura Sayers and her son Avery Ladouceur were selling locally caught and smoked trout from Sayers Superior Smoked Fish.

She also appreciated the availability of a variety of home made goods including bread, cookies, pies, health, beauty products and jewelry.

And the opportunity to purchase local field-raised beef from Penokean Hills Farms.

The Algoma Farmers' Market can be found at Roberta Bondar Tent and Pavilion Parking Lot at 70 Foster Drive on Saturday mornings through the month of June.

In July, the market will also be running Wednesdays from 2 to 6 p.m. until Thanksgiving weekend.