NORTHAMPTON — Grow Food Northampton’s Tuesday Market will return to the city’s downtown on Tuesday, running once a week throughout the summer from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The farmer’s market brings vendors from across western Massachusetts to the plaza located behind Thornes Marketplace. Opening day will feature 32 farm, food and craft vendors and music by the group Kingfisher Duo.

Helen Kahn, the farmers market manager for Grow Food, said the market isn’t just an oppurtunity for local farms and food growers to sell their wares, but is also a good way to support businesses downtown.

“As I’ve been going around putting up posters, a lot of the shop owners are really excited that the Tuesday Market is coming back,” she said. “The market often gives a bump to the businesses who are already established here.”

Vendors returning this year include Crabapple Farm of Chesterfield, Grace Hill Farm of Cummington and Hungry Ghost Bread of Northampton. Newer vendors include Barberic Farm of Shelburne and Ain’t Your Average B, which makes dog treats out of discarded meat parts from other farms. A total of 30 farmer’s markets will be held this season, running until November.

“Our primary focus is of course on farm and food,” Kahn said. “But when we have space, we like to invite in local artisans to fill those spaces.”

This year marks the 17th season for the Tuesday Market and the ninth under Grow Food Northampton. The market also offers a SNAP Match program, where shoppers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can have their benefits doubled up to $10 each week at the designated purple tent at the farmer’s market. Additionally, several vendors accept HIP (Healthy Incentives Program), the Massachusetts-based benefit which allows SNAP customers to purchase an extra $40-$80 in fresh produce from local farmers.

Alexander MacDougall can be reached at amacdougall@gazettenet.com.