Along with the sun and warm weather comes fresh produce grown in the North Country.

Farmers in St. Lawrence County are working hard to grow everything from blueberries and strawberries to zucchini and squash.

All of these and more can be found at local farmers markets in Canton, Potsdam, Gouverneur, Hammond, and Massena, all open by this week.

Not only are they a great resource for local and healthy food, but for learning more about where your food comes from. Vendors are always happy to tell you about their craft and process. On the way are blueberries, strawberries, peas, cauliflower, beets, and more is always coming.

GardenShare offers a listing of local farmers markets, and their farms, at http://www.gardenshare.org/content/farmers-markets.

This summer, GardenShare, a locally led nonprofit organization whose mission is to solve the problem of hunger in St. Lawrence County through policy advocacy work and by strengthening our food system to benefit all County residents, is starting a new program. GardenShare has a vision for our community: Healthy Food – Healthy Farms – Everybody Eats.

To help accomplish this goal and to help everyone have access to healthy and local food, they will be running the Double Up program, just underway. It is for people who have SNAP, the federal supplemental nutrition program, so that they can use their benefits at the farmers market and receive an incentive through. They will receive up to $20 to double what SNAP recipients can use for vegetables at the markets.

Besides helping everyone afford fresh and local produce, GardenShare is partnering with local farmers markets to bring a Family Fun Day in the coming weeks, with lots of activities, vendors, and of course local produce.

Any local organizations wanting to join in on the fun for these days, email GardenShare at office@gardenshare.org or call (315)-261-8054.