The Marysville Farmers Market is back, open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There are several reasons why people of faith should get involved in the market.

Just go to their website, and the reason for their existence is stated: “The Marysville Farmer’s Market is a community outreach program designed to encourage people to compassionately live out their faith, passion and interests in our culture, engage with their neighbors and offer healthy options for our bodies and our community.”

Let’s look at each statement:

•Community outreach is simply when people reach out to their community, rather than waiting for them to come in. “Out” is the key word. In order to participate in an outreach, a person needs to get out.

•This particular outreach is designed for people of faith who have a heart of compassion for their community.

•The market encourages people of faith to be passionate about their interests, gifts and products. It’s an opportunity to not only share a person’s products and crafts but also sharing the story and passion behind those products. •The market is designed to help people of faith engage with their neighbors. The beauty of this engagement is face to face. There is an opportunity to get to personally know people who have lived in the community for years without getting the chance to meet. Instead of just sharing the restaurants, roads and public facilities, people share their hearts. •They offer healthy options for our bodies. Farmers markets are known for their non-industrial products. Harmful pesticides and chemicals are not used on the fresh produce. Locally grown produce also tastes better and is more nutritious. The produce is picked seasonally and comes directly from the farm to the table. Local food is fresh and safe to eat because the farmer who is selling it is the same one who stands at the market alongside other vendors and shoppers. One of the key scriptures the Marysville Farmers Market uses is Matthew 5:16, but just before that scripture is Matthew 5:14-15 – “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden, neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”

By becoming a vendor, sponsor, volunteer or shopper with the Marysville Farmers Market, your light gets “out” for all to see. •Contact Marysville Farmers Market manager Shawn Schrader at 425-359-4856 or email marysvillefarmersmarket@gmail.com

Mary Salamon is publisher of Marysville Tulalip Life Magazine and oversees the Marysville House of Prayer. mary@marysvilletulaliplifemagazine.com