Chilly temperatures and grey skies weren't enough to keep people from flocking to the opening day of the Yellowknife Farmers Market.

Around 600 market-goers SA国际影视传媒� young, old and more than a few canines SA国际影视传媒� perused a myriad of up-for-grabs goods offered by 37 vendors at Somba K'e Park on Tuesday.

Along with the return of seasoned sellers and their staple products SA国际影视传媒� from jewelry and soaps to artisans and hot and ready foods SA国际影视传媒� day one of the outdoor marketplace saw some fresh faces make the foray into the market.

SA国际影视传媒淭his year we've had a really great turnout with our food vendors. We have lots of new faces this year which is really exciting. We like to see more people coming out,SA国际影视传媒� said market board president Hannah Eden.

Eden said new additions to the seasonal line-up have helped the non-profit society meet its goal of vendor diversification.

Sarah Swan is one of those new faces. As one half of the duo behind the Real Food Cafe SA国际影视传媒� a newcomer to this year's market that serves up fish and veggie burgers alike SA国际影视传媒� Swan said the lakeside venue offered a unique opportunity for the budding business to break into the Yellowknife food scene.

SA国际影视传媒淚've always wanted to see the Yellowknife Farmers Market scene in person and try out a bit of my entrepreneurial side and work with my good friend as well,SA国际影视传媒� said Swan.

Her friend and business partner, Franziska Ulbricht SA国际影视传媒� who launched the local food-focused company in Hay River five years ago before relocating in Yellowknife SA国际影视传媒� said the name SA国际影视传媒淩eal FoodSA国际影视传媒� says it all.

SA国际影视传媒淗ealthy food, real ingredients. We try to have a lot on our menu based on locally grown food,SA国际影视传媒� said Ulbricht.

Along with a focus on locally grown goods and bringing in fresh faces, a push for more fresh produce has been emphasized by market organizers this season.

Leading up to Tuesday's opening, board members called on more produce growers to set up shop in a bid to boost the variety of vegetables available to patrons. Organizers had hoped to double the overall vendor list.

Market coordinator Laura Busch said it's still too cold and too early in the growing season to assess where the Farmers Market is at in reaching its goal of attracting more produce-focused vendors, but that she was pleased with a promising first day turnout.

SA国际影视传媒淲e're happy with the amount we have now. I was personally pretty blown away at some of the produce that was locally grown on sale. I know my vegetables are nowhere near that far along,SA国际影视传媒� said Busch, noting one vendor had already brought along radishes.

But Busch said the market is still SA国际影视传媒渁ctively looking for more produce growers to reach out to the market if they want to get involved.SA国际影视传媒�

For growers who want to get involved but don't want to operate a stall, green thumbs can drop off their home grown produce at the market's SA国际影视传媒渉arvesters table.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淎nybody can come if they have excess produce and sell it to us,SA国际影视传媒� said harvester table coordinator Courtney Chetwynd.

The market retains 25 per cent of sales, while produce growers pull in 75 per cent.

SA国际影视传媒淲e're hoping to grow a lot more and get the word out,SA国际影视传媒� added Chetwynd.

In keeping with the market's overall theme of food sustainability, the compost program SA国际影视传媒� fueled by volunteers who ensure containers make it to the right bin SA国际影视传媒� is up and running again.

SA国际影视传媒淲e aim to be a zero waste market and we've gotten really close to it. We require all our vendors use compostable packaging which is something they're all on board with which is great,SA国际影视传媒� said market coordinator Busch.

The opening day of the market SA国际影视传媒� which will run Tuesdays from 5:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. until Sept. 18 SA国际影视传媒� was kicked off by drumming from Yellowknives Dene First Nation councillor Bobby Drygeese to signal the market's place on traditional Indigenous land.