Spring is setting in Chicago, and it's bringing more than just pleasant weather—it's also ushering an earlier start to the Green City Market season. CBS Chicago reports that the popular farmers market is rolling out its stalls a month earlier than its usual schedule, adding more opportunities for fresh food finds in the coming weeks.

Chicagoans eager to sample the area's finest produce don't have to wait too long; the Lincoln Park market is slated to begin next weekend, on April 6th. Meanwhile, the West Loop market is set to follow quickly behind, opening in May. It seems the market is intent on not just starting early, but also widely reaching food-insecure residents through its early opening, according to Green City Market executive director Mandy Moody in a statement obtained by Block Club Chicago.

The markets' vendors, which feature a lineup of more than 60 local farmers and food producers, are gearing up for the expanded season. High-quality, locally grown offerings will abound, from the produce of Nichols Farm & Orchard to the vibrant blooms from Chicago Farm Flowers. The Green City Market's list of purveyors is also seeing some new additions, including Willowbrook Farms and Gaijin, ready to serve up their goods to over 400,000 potential market-goers this year.

Funding is a pivotal part of extending the Green City Market's reach. Vendor fees only cover half of the operational costs, and the organization heavily relies on donations to keep the markets running smoothly. "While we’re more than ready to open early, added markets create added expenses, and we rely on donations from our community to continue to effectively scale market frequency and support our farmers after the challenging winter months," Moody told Block Club Chicago. The market recently launched a fundraising campaign to shoulder the costs of extending the outdoor season in hopes of bolstering sales for their 60 local participants.

Last year, the Green City Markets left a significant mark on the community. It served around 445,000 customers and generated upwards of $279,000 in purchasing power to aid those facing food scarcity. With the markets opening their booths to an eager public earlier than before, Green City Market aims to continue cultivating both economic and nutritional value for Chicago residents throughout the approaching seasons.