By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

CALERA— Residents may now peruse fresh produce, jams and jellies, sauces and more every Tuesday from 3-6 p.m. in Calera at the annual farmer’s market, which is celebrating its seventh season in the city.

On opening day June 7, dozens of citizens flocked to the market, ready to purchase a slew of local products. Farmers brought fresh produce and artisans provided jams and jellies, a variety of body scrubs, homemade produce bags and steak sauces.

“It has (grown a lot),” new market director Darlene Reece said with a laugh. “We’re not going to be a Pepper Place, but close to it.”

She’s been doing markets for about five years as a vendor, selling her homemade jams and jellies, so she decided to take on the role of director.

“It’s been fun trying to get vendors,” Reece said. “I go to the farms and visit the farms to see if they are growing what they bring. Their places are beautiful.”

There are a couple new vendors at this year’s market, and Reece said they have an extensive waiting list of vendors who would like to work at the market. Currently, there is only space for 15 vendors, but Reece said they hope to increase that number.

Reece said the market can see between 300 and 400 people on any given Tuesday.

“It’ll be really busy at one time, and then there will be nobody here,” she said. “Then all the sudden, where did the people come from?”

The busiest times are right after people get off work at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., she said.

Just as the size of the market has grown, Reece said anticipation for it has as well. Previous to opening for the season, she said people were flooding the Calera Farmer’s Market’s Facebook page with comments and messages.

“They look forward to it, and they ask, ‘Is the soap girl coming? Is Evans coming? Is Caver coming? Will the field peas be there?’” Reece said.

The market is located at 8050 Alabama 70 under the Lumpkin oak trees across from the Publix shopping center. For more information, visit Facebook.com/calerafarmersmarket.