It's that time of year again when the Phinney Farmers Market is brimming with a wide-variety of seasonal vegetables and fruits.

In addition to a plethora of greens, lettuces and all kinds of vegetables, it's peak season for berries and stone fruits (peaches, apricots, pluots, etc). If you buy more than you can eat, berries are easy to freeze, as are most vegetables (quickly blanch or steam).

New this season is Sol to Seed Farm, bringing their fresh herbs and plenty of summer vegetables. The market also boasts a new vendor, Apres Vin, who makes flavored grape seed oils and grape seed flour from local vineyards. Quilbay Seafood brings a selection of oysters, clams and other locally-raised shellfish - they'll be there through the end of the market season.

Some market shoppers wonder why farmers and vendors change at the market, as it can be disconcerting to find that a favorite farmer is no longer selling. The reason, according to market organizers, is that sometimes a farmer is over-taxed and needs to pull back from a market; or decides to focus on a different market (many farmers sell at more than one market); or decides to put more energy into a CSA or a farm stand.

The markets then need to fill the empty slot with a new farm or vendor. One of the biggest concerns regarding thelocal food systems is cultivating the next generation of farmers, and making sure that local farmers continue to have access to strong, well-supported farmers markets in addition to other avenues for sales. Farmers markets are one of the few ways that farmers get paid the full value of their products (grocery stores pay only wholesale prices to the farmer, taking a big cut in order to make a profit for the store or company).

The market runs each Friday afternoon through Oct. 2, with more than 20 different local farmers and fresh food vendors each week.

Upcoming events at the Phinney Farmers Market:

July 17 - live music from Folichon - Cajun tunes

July 24 - cooking demo TBA

July 31 - live music from singing group Dave and the Dalmations

August 7 - singalong for kids with Gary Paine

August 14- Zucchini 500. Kids of all ages can make and race their very own vegetable vehicle, 3 to 6 p.m.

The market is located in the lower lot of the Phinney Neighborhood Center at 67th and Phinney Avenue North. It is operated by the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving local farmland by helping family farmers make a viable living off their land.

The NFMA operates a total of seven "producer-only" farmers markets in Seattle. For more information or to make a donation to support your local farmers market, please visit www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org.