2010 photos by Robin Cohen Take a break from neon-lit indoor aisles. Head outdoors to stands at Russell Common, canopied from the sun, and get in touch with your inner farmer. Or just see old friends while picking up produce for supper: The Arlington Farmers' Market is opening again.

Established in 1997, it was among the earliest outdoor venues in Greater Boston selling from local farms and businesses. It opened Wednesday, June 8,and operates every Wednesday until late October from 2 to 6:30 p.m.

What's new this season, and what is familiar?

New vendor On the Edge, a knife sharpener, is expected to come once a month. Its owner Patti Small is sharp and likes life on the edge. She gave up working in Hollywood in film production.

John Crow Farm of Groton promised to add "unusual poultry" into the weekly mix -- quail, duck, rabbits -- but dropped out at the 11th hour, and a replacement is sought.

Wine could be sold in the future, but not this year, as is the case other farmers' markets this summer. (see the June 2 Globe, "Vintners are going to market").

Patsy Kraemer, the market's manager, said a smoothie-making yogurt vendor was attracted to the Arlington market, but the town Board of Health rejected the application. The vendor will be selling yogurt in two other communities where it was approved. Kraemer expects to appeal.

What Arlington's market continues to have is well worth recounting: Veteran farmers who have been with the market since it began and have a wonderful history of bringing high-quality produce.

This sets Arlington's market apart from many area start-up markets. Others have more crafts and events, but the town's market aims to be about farmers and residents connecting.

Here are the vendors whose food aims to stir your senses this summer and fall:

Aida-Lula Pastry of Arlington (781-643-2277)

Busa Farm of Lexington 

Chestnut Farms of Hardwick 

Danish Pastry House of Medford and Watertown 

Dick's Market Garden of Lunenburg 

Fior D'Italia on Manchester, Vt. 

Flora Restaurant of Arlington 

Globe Fish of Boston 

Golden Egg Farm of Hardwick 

Grateful Farm of Franklin 

Flats Mentor Farm of Lancaster 

Kimball Fruit Farm of Pepperell 

Nicewicz Orchard of Bolton 

Mamadou's Artisan Bakery of Winchester

Sassy Sauces of Natick 

Smith Country Cheese of Winchendon

Taza Chocolate of Somerville 

Warren Farm & Sugarhouse of North Brookfield

The variety of vendors points to how the town market has grown since Pat Jones, a resident of Winslow Towers, peered out her window and conceived of another use of the lot across Mystic Street, one that might give elders a closer option to shop.

Oakes Plimpton, then involved with a market in Somerville, got on the case. Kraemer, then a town administrator, joined in late. Following discussions, selectmen agreed, and the Arlington outdoor-market seed has flowered as a weekly sojourn for various kinds of people.

Over the years, Kraemer has seen the elderly arrive as well as "young families who pay attention to what they put on their tables."

She sees those with higher income, and those who are "thinking through what they are eating."

Kraemer allowed that the market's offerings are more expensive than the same at a local chain, but worth it because it is farm fresh. The produce is just-picked.

Organic? Only Grateful Farms falls into that category. Many vendors, she said, practice ipm, or integrated pest management, which minimizes spraying.

Kate Morreale of Golden Eggs does not use organic feed with her free-range chickens, because it doesn't store well.

Kraemer remains pleased with the weekly numbers attending, calling the turnouts, attracted in part by parking, "huge."

She has help with publicity from Robin Cohen of Arlington. She is writing a book about farmers' markets titled Bounty of the Seasons, offers observations and recipes in her blog, "Doves and Figs."

NOTE: Plimpton reports that after the market closes after the first week in August, when the tomatoes, apples and corn come in, the Market Seconds are sold for $1 a grocery bag at the Menotomy Manor public housing. The dollar pays a small stipend to housing residents to manage the Seconds Market there.

April 2007: Celebrate 10 years at Farmer's Market