Editor’s note: This story is part of the annual Mosaic Journalism Program for Bay Area high school students, an intensive course in journalism. Students in the program report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.

Every Wednesday morning, farmers set up booths at the Downtown San Jose Farmers Market to sell their fresh and locally grown produce as well as specialty items.

Some San Jose residents come to this market regularly, while others stumble upon the event as they walk around the city. It’s also a popular spot among San Jose State University students and nearby employees since the school and office buildings are across from the Hammer Theatre plaza.

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The market hosts a variety of vendors. Residents can buy strawberries, donut peaches, toffee, traditional conchas, soaps, a hot plate of Thai food, kettle corn, jewelry and half-pound cookies.

Christian Hutton, a fourth-year student at SJSU, attends the market when he can. Hutton said at a recent Wednesday in June that the market is “better than going to a grocery store” due to the community and reasonable pricing.

The Regional Farmers’ Market Association hosts the market to give small businesses a chance to sell to their community. Paolo Obillo, the association manager, makes sure prices are reasonable when recruiting sellers. Maria Lopez, of Lopez Family Farm, said they keep their products cheaper at this specific market to keep organic fruits available to students.

Obillo also avoids competition between vendors by making sure each person selling has unique specialty products.

For example, what sets the California Bakeshop aside from Baby Tiger Bakery is its savory baked goods such as empanadas and flatbreads, while Baby Tiger Bakery is popular for their traditional Mexican conchas.

Despite the market reopening in Hammer Theatre plaza only in April last year, the weekly event has built a connection between vendors and the surrounding community. Many regulars describe the community as uplifting, friendly and vibrant.

Haley Lillibridge is a member of the class of 2027 at De Anza Community College in Cupertino.