Over the past few years, the production of food has become an increasingly important topic of discussion. Where did my food come from? How was it grown? How did it get here? These are all questions that typically can’t be answered by eyeballing the labels of the myriad of foods that line the grocery store aisles. But the city of Champaign is hoping to take the guesswork out of grocery shopping this summer, with its new farmers’ market.

Starting this Thursday, June 18 and continuing every Thursday through Aug. 27, the city of Champaign will play host to the Farmers’ Market on Historic North First Street. Organized by the North First Street Association of Champaign, the market will take place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the north end of the city parking lot near the police department, just off First Street.

With only 22 vendors, the new Champaign farmers’ market is comparatively smaller than the Lincoln Square Farmers’ Market in Urbana but will still feature vendors selling everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to bibles and handmade crafts. Wendy Langacker, the market manager, said she hopes the smaller size will bring in smaller vendors who would otherwise feel overwhelmed at the Urbana market.

“It’s kind of a market where people who wouldn’t necessarily get the chance to have exposure can get out there,” Langacker said. “I think that’s really neat.”

Langacker, along with Valerie McWilliams, the secretary treasurer of the North First Street Association of Champaign, said holding the market in the heart of downtown Champaign was a logical choice given its historical context and centrality. Both hope it will be a force in bringing a diverse group of people to the market each week.

“The market is a good way to act as an intermediary between different groups of people, people who wouldn’t necessarily come together for a common need,” Langacker said.

“[The area] has kind of been on the back burner,” said Gina Myrick, owner of Gathering Place Christian Bookstore and a prospective vendor at the market. “We want it to come up a little more.”

Another way the North First Street Association hopes to create that mix is by accepting electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards from low and no-income families. McWilliams said doing so will provide a rare chance for families receiving aid to get the USDA-recommended four to five servings of both fresh fruits and vegetables a day.

“We’re trying to bring that together so that people who have access to [EBT cards] have the option of getting fresh fruit and fresh vegetables directly from farmers,” McWilliams said. “Right now, that’s not an option.”

By attracting people of all backgrounds, the organizers hope to bring a new vibe to downtown Champaign.

“The farmers’ market was just something that everyone can rally around,” McWilliams said. “What’s not to love about it?”