One of Lubbock's oldest farmers markets is growing into a new area, but one that is familiar to art lovers.

On May 27, the Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market will celebrate its 15th season. The market will open in the area behind the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts at 511 Ave. K, the same area that hosts the First Friday Art Trail. LDFM previously held its market around 19th Street and Buddy Holly Avenue.

Larry Simmons, founder and president of LDFM, gave several reasons for this change, including how limited they were in the previous location.

"We set up on the street because we wanted to be able to expand, and that requires every business on Buddy Holly for two blocks to sign off on that," Simmons said. "We're open 22 weeks a year, so that's almost half of the year to give up your Saturday mornings. It kind of limited us, time-wise, because we could not expand without asking them to sign off again."

Construction on 19th was a factor as well. They chose LHUCA, in part, because the campus hosts different pop-ups, they have amenities, and an aesthetic appeal.

"They don't have the obstacles we have down here (in the Depot District)," Simmons said. "We've overcome those obstacles for the past few years, but this was just a really good chance to step up our game and evolve a little further."

Another benefit to the move will be for the nearby art studios, who will have another event to help drive more foot traffic into the area.

LDFM will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday through Oct. 14. Vendors will set up on 5th Street between Avenue K and Avenue J. Shoppers can find an array of items, from food to crafts between the roster of more than 75 vendors.

"We are very proud of the fact that our produce people are 100% local," Simmons said. "We've always tried to maintain our identity, and that is for people that handmake and for people that grow their own vegetables for them to meet and sell their product."

Wares could include:

• Produce.

• Locally raised meats.

• Sauces, jams and canned goods.

• Baked goods.

• Artisan crafts, including jewelry and art.

Some of the most popular vendors include E3 Farms, Onion Shed Farms, Block 20, Remember Me Bakery, Sweet Jeans Mustard, Plain Jane's, Meegan The Vegan, Milena's Bakery, Blondies, KJs Paracord Workshop, Sweet Pup Treats, PBNB Children's Books, and Adelphos Cellars.

The market is involved with the Texas Hunger Initiative and the Double Up Bucks in the Supplemental Nutritional program. Attendees will also help support the South Plains Food Bank and Meals on Wheels Lubbock, as the market donates a portion of the profits to these two non-profits.

Downtown Farmers Market initially began as an art market, here's the history

The move comes just in time for the milestone 15th season for the market. Simmons and other creators started thinking of creating a market in 2008, and enacted their plan in 2009 as the Second Saturday Downtown Art Market.

"It started out as an extension of what we saw on the First Friday Art Trail," Simmons said. "There were more artists that wanted representation than there were places to show. So, we opened as an art market, then started slowing adding in the green aspects."

By 2012, the art market became the seasonal weekly Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market. Going into the 15th year, they plan to continuing what they have done

"We're looking forward to doing exactly what we do, just in a bigger and better space," Simmons said. "We just want to invite people downtown, and I think they'll have a good time."

Moving forward, Simmons expects to see more education involving nutrition and wellness, possibly cooking contests, and the broadening of their message - that good food is healthy food.

People can follow the market on lubbockdowntownfarmersmarket.com and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market opens 15th year with new location