Over 25 local vendors and a host of activities will kick off the new Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market at the marina Saturday, June 17.

This will be the first farmers market in Washington committed to supporting environmentally sustainable farming practices. It will run every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October.

The market will feature over 35 vendors at the height of the season, including more than a dozen organic fruit and vegetable growers, truly free range eggs, Dungeness crabs, local honey, plants, and a handful of unique local crafts.

"We're excited about this new community asset," Mayor Bob Sheckler said.

"I believe the farmers market will be an important contributor to launching our city's economic development plans and drawing people to our many downtown merchants, retail shops, and restaurants."

Over a dozen Des Moines business and community leaders have planned for the new waterfront market.

Starting with the kick-off on Saturday, attendees can enjoy strolling through the new farmers market, live music on the waterfront, ornate dragon boat paddles, dance performances, kid's face painting and more.

Farming and the Environment, a local non-profit organization dedicated to keeping farming profitable and ecosystems healthy, manages the market. The group qualifies farms to their environmental Stewardship Program based on their stewardship principles.

According to the group, these principles go beyond organic to take the larger environmental picture into account, such as how farms are managed to minimize water consumption, prevent soil erosion, develop habitat diversity, protect fish and wildlife habitat, conserve energy, utilize renewable energy systems, and reuse, recycle or dispose of farm waste in a manner that protects air, water, soil and animals.

"I converted five acres of plums and pluots into the state's organic program five years ago when organic was thought to be simply a niche market," said John Bartella of Bartella Farms.

To find out what's fresh and happening each week at the market, visit www.FarmingandtheEnvironment.org.

The Des Moines market joins two other farmers markets in the Highline area.

Burien's market is open Thursdays in the former Gottschalks parking lot at Southwest 152nd Street and Fifth Avenue Southwest. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Tukwila international market runs Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. It is located at Tukwila International Boulevard and South 144th Street.