They're a favorite shopping event for many communities in our area,
but lately the popularity of farmers markets has been growing even more.

Daysha Amster is as homegrown as they come. She grew up in Niles and currently owns a catering company called Ol'factory Hue Catering in town.

Now, she caters to the folks at the Niles French Farmers Market.

Amster's one of many vendors who've been coming out every Thursday and Saturday to sell their wares. Local farms bring whatever excess crops they have that week.

Others, like the folks from Euneek Bakery in Benton Harbor, sell sweet confections.

Every entrepreneur is there for the same reason, to make money. For some, selling at the farmers market is a source of supplemental income. For others, it provides their primary income.

And it seems the idea of self-sufficiancy is spreading. Vendors say more and more people have been coming out to not only buy, but sell.

But these farmers, bakers, bee keepers and bead makers say it's not just about earning that cash.

A pint of rasberries will cost you three dollars. A carton of red potatoes is two dollars. A jar of preserves is five bucks, but as for the company of your neighbors? Well, there's just no putting a price tag on that.

This Saturday is the last Saturday the French Farmers Market will be held.

After that, the farmers market will still be open, but only on Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.