Noticed something fresh cropping up in the neighborhood?

You may have, because Idaho's farmers markets are growing.

According to Idaho's Department of Agriculture, farmers markets in Idaho have increased by more than 150 percent in the last decade, "up from 20 in 2002 to 54 markets operating today."

So in recognition of this fresh fact, Aug. 4-10 is the fifth annual Idaho Farmers Market Week. The week is an opportunity for Idaho residents to learn about farmers markets through special events such as canning demonstrations, product sampling and other activities planned by individual markets.

"I know of people that these kinds of things, this is how they make their living," said Michael McKibbin of Rathdrum. He and his wife Martha and daughter Joy visited the Kootenai County Farmers Market in Hayden on Saturday.

"It's an important part of their lifestyle - living organically, selling organically, living simply. So it's an important niche in our community," he said.

They sipped cool drinks as they wandered through the market after finding a "sweet" deal on fresh huckleberry cake.

"I love the fresh baked goods, they're great, and then all the fresh produce and flowers," Joy said as Martha nodded in agreement. "It's so fun to see what everyone's brought. It's just fun to look around. It's very creative."

Farmers markets can be found on certain days across the state. They provide an avenue for private producers to present their goods to the public, varying from hand-crafted clothing, furniture, soaps and pastries to fresh veggies and fruit plucked from local vines or trees.

The Kootenai County Farmers Market is open 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays at the corner of U.S. 95 and Prairie Avenue in Hayden from May 11 to Oct. 19. It's a shady open market beneath tall pines with bark chippings underfoot and a welcome sign at its main entrance. From 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, the KCFM is open on Fifth Street and Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d'Alene from May 15 to Sept. 25.

The Post Falls Local Market (presented by the Post Falls Lions Club) is open Wednesdays from 4 to 7:30 p.m. and is located in front of City Hall at 408 N. Spokane St. The July 24 market was sweltering, but nine vendors braved the heat. Ken Cook, district governor of the Post Falls Lions, reported the market to have up to 40 vendors. It's in its third year.

"Every penny we get from the vendors goes back into the community," Cook said. He said the Lions began the market with the vision of fellow Lion Brian "Kiwi" Kirk, who is originally from New Zealand.

"They have a very successful market in New Zealand with over 200 vendors every Sunday," Cook said.

Debi Melkonian, of Coeur d'Alene, wore a pink striped fedora as she played a zither at her booth. The face painter said her love of kids and art inspired her to participate in the market, and she said she wishes the world was a village and had nothing but open markets.

"I love the human contact and the simplicity of it, and it's not a big corporation. It's real, it's personal," she said. "It'd be fine with me if the world only existed that way."

The Post Falls Local Market is Larry Bacon's first stab at selling his creations through his business, Groovin Wood Works. He said he prefers to establish himself locally rather than having to move his business elsewhere, and the market is a good starting point.

"Support where you live," he said. And although he said Coeur d'Alene may have better revenue, he enjoys the small-town feel of Post Falls. "People are more laid back in Post Falls," he said.

To find the schedule of farmers markets and Idaho Farmers Market Week activities in your neighborhood, visit www.agri.idaho.gov.