WORCESTER, Mass. - The Regional Environmental Council (REC Worcester) welcomed back customers to their farmers markets this week.

They says it's been a great growing season, and many of their vendors have returned with many COVID restrictions lifted.

Coordinator Ashley Carter says shes most excited to see visitors and farmers interacting. She says it's important to educate the community as well as provide access to fresh produce.

"It's one of the longest farmers markets running in Worcester. It's important becuase it's brings local produce into the city," Carter said. "So all of the farmers are coming from around Central Massachusetts and they bring a lot of local, healthy, naturally grown produce to the city and a lot of folks are using their snap benefits which gives them extra incentive to use for the healthy incentive program."

The farmers markets are held Mondays and Fridays at Beaver Brook and then Saturdays at University Park. Masks are optional for people who are fully vaccinated. REC's mobile farmers market will begin next week.