Following a very long Minnesota winter, we welcome back the Albert Lea Farmers Market on May 17.

The market is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. in the North Broadway Avenue parking lot in downtown Albert Lea.

If you’ve never been to the local market, we urge you to try it.

First and foremost, this food is fresh from the farm. As the season goes on, that means items such as vine-ripened tomatoes and melons. But it can also mean fresh-cut flowers and baked goods.

The people who bring in their items take great pride in the quality of their products. It’s their faces you’ll see behind the tables at the market. They’re happy to talk about what they have.

They are, after all, your friends and neighbors.

Local organizers work hard to coordinate special events throughout the season. A trip to the farmers market can be fun, educational and rewarding for the whole family.

Mark your calendar. We urge you to check it out.