The Mercer Island Farmers Market returns June 4 for its 10th season of celebrating sustainability, community and local food and farmers.

Located just north of Mercerdale Park in downtown Mercer Island, the market brings the community together each Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The MIFM operates every Sunday from June to October (except July 9 for Summer Celebration and Aug. 6 for Seafair) with a Harvest Market on Nov. 19.

The market, which was organized in 2008 by community members passionate about nutritious food and local agriculture, offers something different to explore each week, including a chance to meet new market manager Lora Liegel, who is taking over for Patty Spahr.

Both Spahr and Liegal’s background has been in agriculture.

Liegel grew up in Oregon, and has worked at several farms over the years, including most recently at a crop consulting company in Portland, before moving to Kirkland.

When she applied for the market manager job, she saw it as a perfect opportunity to combine her passion for helping farmers and small businesses with her event planning experience.

Liegel has already undertaken several projects in the market offseason, including revamping the website and recruiting new vendors. She’s also getting to know the farmers market community in the area, attending quarterly meetings with King County and the Washington State Farmers Market Association conference in January.

“It was a great chance to meet other managers in the area,” she said. “A lot of cross-collaboration and partnership opportunities are possible.”

She already has great resources in Spahr, who will be helping for the first month or so of the season, along with the market volunteer base and the Board of Directors. She has also hired an assistant market manager, Priscilla Padget, and an operations assistant.

The organization has grown and changed over the years, Liegel said.

“I hope to grow it and keep it successful,” she said. “It started small, but we have seen increases in sales in past years, which is good for the vendors and for us, as a nonprofit.”

Last year, the market attracted 2,500-3,000 shoppers every week, helped donate more than 1,700 pounds of food donated to local organizations, collected more than $1,100 in charitable Market Bucks, diverted two tons of waste from landfills each month, logged more than 900 volunteer hours and had 64 vendor participants and more than $700,000 in sales.

“Patty and the board have done a great job of bringing in unique vendors,” Liegel said. “It’s exciting. Every week will be different.”

With a central location and convenient parking, the market is hoping to attract more regional visitors, especially as Bellevue switched to a weekday market. But its focus is local, with a mission to “connect growers, consumers and the Island business community to create a valuable, sustainable community asset.”

“I’ve been impressed with the link between the organization’s mission and the community support,” Liegel said. “The space is beautiful, and the city is great to work with.”

Other sponsors include Aljoya and New Seasons, which will host events throughout the market season, from tastings to giveaways for seniors. Island Books will host a kick-off happy hour from 5-8 p.m. on June 1 for market supporters. Islanders can also look for a mailer soon with information on the market, and how to make a donation.

Market mainstay programs, including the popular Kid’s Table and live music, are still going strong. The market does not charge admission for its concerts, which this year include beloved Caspar Babypants, who will perform at the market’s 10th anniversary celebration in August.

During the month of June, the market’s “Garden Days” vendors include Coco Beza, Designs by Dina, Fotografia Artistica, Impwear, Moondance and Semilla Designs.

Volunteers are welcome year-round. For more information about volunteering at the market, email volunteer@mifarmersmarket.org.

For up to the minute information about market, including featured vendors, products and entertainment each week, check out its website at www.mifarmersmarket.org.