The city’s iteration of a farmer’s market, which boasts all Maine-made products, kicks off a second season this weekend, with new and familiar faces.

The market will start off the season with roughly a dozen vendors, but organizers are hoping a promotional campaign, which was recently subsidized by the city, will lead to more interest.

At the Westbrook City Council meeting Monday, councilors approved a $4,000 grant from the Westbrook Environmental Improvement Corp., which is paying for a radio advertisement campaign that is already under way.

To start the season last year, the initiative was given $2,000.

The director of the market, James Tranchemontagne, is hoping the advertisements can boost interest not only from potential vendors but also customers.

“It’s the second year, so we’re still trying to get that name recognition,” he said, adding that there is a lot of competition in the Greater Portland area during the summer months.

Tranchemontagne is also the owner of the Frog & Turtle restaurant in Westbrook, and serves as vice president of the Westbrook-Gorham Community Chamber. He spearheaded the market last year in an effort to provide Westbrook with its own market, and to celebrate local artisans and crafters.

Returning this year are a number of vendors selling artwork and handmade jewelry. Tranchemontange said he recently received an application from a business that sells vintage clothing.

However, as the market has succeeded in showcasing Maine-made crafts and other products, there has been a shortage of fresh produce that’s offered at other traditional farmer’s markets.

In an effort to offer more fresh produce this year, Tranchemontagne said he will be working with farms that already provide produce for the Frog & Turtle.

“There is a certain challenge there,” he said, referring to neighboring communities that have farms that work with their own local markets, including successful markets in Gorham and Cumberland.

Westbrook’s lone farm, Smiling Hill, has its own location off County Road.

Tranchemontagne said the market will still have a solid representation of Maine farms, however, including farms from towns as far away as Porter, near the New Hampshire border. He said radio ads will cater to tourists in the Greater Portland area, looking for cheap outdoor opportunities to pick up local goods.

Lindy Sklover, who runs a small jewelry business called Sweet Beetle, is one of the vendors returning to the market this year. She said she’s excited to see new vendors and what they have to offer.

“I wanted to come back this summer because my business did well last summer, and as my business is still very new, I am trying to get my name and my jewelry out there as much as possible, and a weekly venue is a good fit,” she said.

Sklover describes her work as “modern jewelry using vintage components.” Last year, she also began making vintage map key chains.

One of the new vendors Tranchemontagne is excited about is Maine Green Power, which connects customers with renewable electric power. The business also fits the mold of other green-minded companies such as Garbage to Garden, a composting business that also has a presence at Maine Market.

Kay Mann, a spokeswoman for the company, said, “We find that shoppers at farmers’ markets appreciate” these type of green businesses.

Tranchemontagne said the market will also continue to offer activities for children, with “art in the park” starting the weekend of July 18. The Maine Market also has musical acts booked every weekend from 10 a.m.-noon.

The Maine Market in Westbrook will open for the season this Saturday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. in Riverbank Park along Main Street. Courtesy photo