SWAN QUARTER — Hyde County Farmers’ Market is back for its second year.

The market sets up across from Pat’s Service Station on Main Street in Swan Quarter the last Saturday of every month, as long as the weather permits. Last year’s warmer temperatures allowed the market to run until December.

Saturday marked the first market of the year, and was held in conjunction with MATTIE Arts Center activities and Swan Quarter Volunteer Fire Department’s fundraising dinner.

The market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and features local products, from jewelry to flowers, and fresh seafood to produce and baked goods.

Partners from Hyde County Health Department, Hyde County Cooperative Extension and the county Department of Economic Development and Planning came together last year to bring back the countywide market.

The idea was then brought to fruition after the county received grant money awarded to “food desert” areas. A food desert is defined as an area where it is difficult to find fresh produce because of a lack of grocery stores or other providers.

Anna Motteler, a public health educator at Hyde’s health department who also helped organize the market, was not available for comment Wednesday.

In a previous interview, however, Motteler spoke of the importance of providing fresh produce and other goods to the residents of Hyde County. The market is also a good way to promote activities in the downtown area, she said.

“Hyde County is definitely one of those (food desert) areas,” Motteler said in that interview. “It’ll be, you know, a place for folks to come and have a good time.”

Those interested in setting up as a vendor at the farmers’ market can find an application at www.hydehealth.com/health-education. There is a $10 annual fee, and other certifications or insurance may be required.

For questions, or more information, call the Hyde County Health Department at 252-926-4381, or visit the Hyde County Farmers’ Market page on Facebook.