The state agency has named it Market of the Month.

"This is a huge honor," said Rebecca Krueger, manager of the Calera market. "We are thrilled that they have recognized our market as the wonderful community event that it is."

Every Tuesday since June 1, a growing number of farmers and other vendors have brought their wares to Oliver Park, where white tents form a U, leaving plenty of room for folks to stroll under shade trees. The market opens at 3 p.m. and closes at 7 p.m.

"The Calera Farmers Market has had terrific market days each week since the beginning of June," said Krueger, who also developed the market idea for the city. "Even during the thunderstorms, we have had countless patrons under their umbrellas picking up items from the market. "

Kreuger worked on getting the market going more than a year before it became a reality. She received the blessing of the city council early on; in fact, Ernest Montgomery, a councilman, is a member of the volunteer Farmers Market Committee. Lori Edwards and Joel Dixon complete the four-member team with Krueger, a 37-year-old software developer and mother of two teenage daughters.

She is quick to give credit to the other volunteers as well as city employees who meet her at 7:30 on Tuesday mornings to help set up for the market, then return at 7 p.m. to help clean and break down tents and tables.

The Farmers Market Authority is a state agency established in 1966 to promote Alabama agricultural products. A nine-member board is made up of one appointee from each of the state's Congressional districts, one at-large member and the commissioner of agriculture. Executive director Don Wambles has been leading the agency since 1995.

"Our commitment is to promote Alabama producers and Alabama products," Wambles said.

He said the Calera market offers "a great mix of vendors -- and it's getting better every week."

The market opened on its first week with seven vendors selling products such as fresh eggs, vegetables, homemade bread and artisan soaps. Now, 12 vendors make their way to Calera every Tuesday.

The Market of the Month award began this year. Calera is the third market to receive the designation. Markets in Millbrook and East Lake were numbers one and two, respectively.

"We've got a blueprint that works," Wambles said. "We just need key people in the community to pull it off. Rebecca has done a great job."

On a recent Tuesday, Lori Edwards welcomed guests with lemonade and ice water to accompany them on their strolls from tent to tent. Friends of the Library officers hawked boiled peanuts and soft drinks as a fundraiser. Farmers talked with guests about their offerings while children played. Friends sat on park benches, looking at what they had just purchased.

"This is a great place for a market," said Rodney Dixon of Dixon Farms in Clanton. "It's much cooler on the grass and with the trees." His twin sister, Rosalyn, came along to help."

Chris Knight, who represented Burnette Farms in Thorsby, said he works 14 markets a week.

"This is a good, steady market," he said, sitting behind a table filled with baskets of small, fragrant peaches.

Luke Johnson brings products from Stoneoak Farm in Dunnavant Valley. Johnson's friend, Gene Hopper, owns the farm. In addition to tomatoes and other vegetables, jars of pickled peppers and homemade sauces dotted the table. To the side were plants with leaves that looked somewhat like those found on a daisy.

"This is feverfew," Johnson said. "It's a natural headache remedy; all you have to do is pinch off a leaf and chew it."

Dianne Caver of Caver Farms in Verbena brought about 12 dozen fresh eggs. They quickly sold out. Caver's daughter, Michele Conner, came along to help.

"We enjoy this market," Caver said. "It's like an outing."