While Lake Tahoe isn’t exactly known for its bountiful produce, farmers markets are springing back to the area to fill the demand for regionally sourced food.

The summer farmers market season at the South Shore is underway, with some markets already operating and others slated to open in coming weeks.

The Friday Evening Farmers Market at Kahle Community Park, the smallest of the farmers markets at the South Shore, was doing brisk business on its opening day May 3, with a steady stream of people filtering in to purchase citrus, leafy greens, organic strawberries and cherries, among other regional products.

This year is the second for the market, which was started by Round Hill resident Steve Rozier as a community gathering place and convenience for residents of the Nevada side of the South Shore looking for fresh produce. The Iowa native said he was looking forward to the upcoming peach season, the arrival of fresh corn and the availability of Nevada-grown produce in July.

The Thursday Farmers Market in Tahoe City is scheduled to open May 23 with apples, kiwis, beets, kale, chard and much more in season. Truckee will kick off the season with their Tuesday market beginning June 11.

The South Shore will continue to have the Tuesday market at the Friday market on Ski Run Boulevard, beginning June 21, as well as the Tuesday market at the American Legion, beginning June 4. This year is shaping up to be a good one, said Lois Coalwell, who’s organized the market at the American Legion with her husband Jim for 19 years.

“As far as the farmers are concerned, there are farmers who are very, very passionate about what’s going on this year,” Coalwell said.

Coal said she expects the market to be full with all of the 56 vendors spaces filled.

“I think what the public has done is really accepted the farmers market as a venue where they know they’re really talking to the farmer, she said.

Lake Tahoe Action editor Adam Jensen contributed to this report