Ann Marie Leonard of the Office of Economic and Community Development has managed the farmer's Market since 1987. The market, located on lower Union Street and open every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from July through October accepts cash and WIC coupons.

Now in its 16th year of operation, the market offers a variation of vegetables, herbs, flowers and delights in a lot on lower Union Street.

"The farmer's Market makes fresh vegetables available to everyone who works and lives in Lynn," she said. "It specifically helps local residents who live downtown and do not normally have access to the freshest produce. The market also has the added benefit of drawing people to the downtown area who may not have had the opportunity to see first hand the positive changes in the city."

The market's produce is supplied by Gary's Farmstand of Groton. Gary's has sold to Lynn since the market's inception. and Brox Farm of Dracut, in its third year of coming to the city. The market offers peas, green string beans, cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, beats, blueberries, corn, basil and parsley.

"Farmer's markets serve the dual purposes of making fresh produce accessible to boost the nutrition of inner-city families and helping to keep small farmers in business," said David Dumaresq, owner of Brox Farm and a former Peace Corps volunteer in Latin America.

Canneri Moquete Tejeda, a Dominican Republic native and resident of Lawrence, is a familiar face at the market for a decade.

Tejeda is involved in the cultivation of the farm's crops from planting to delivering to selling at the stand each week.

"I love what I do, meeting the people and working outside with the crops," he said. "I love vegetables. But the best part is harvesting and delivering the food to people."

This year the market will welcome a new participant selling his wares. Wendell Donelle, a Lynn resident, intends to open a hot dog stand at the market in August.

Opening a hot dog business has been Donelle's dream for several years. With the help of Doug Stevenson, director of the Lynn Small Business Assistance Center Donelle is close to his goal.

"Doug (Stevenson) has been an angel," said Donelle. "He's been there every step of the way, helping with my business proposal, my Web site-www.theproperdawg.com-advertising and business cards."

Greater Lynn Senior Services will distribute coupons to qualified citizens on Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. at 8 Silsbee St.

The market may relocate temporarily to the corner of Union and Exchange streets while its current site is paved.