In an era where people can order their groceries over the Internet, it's nice to know that local farmer's markets are still alive and kicking.

That's certainly the case in the South Sound.

Starting May 20, the downtown Tacoma farmer's market (Broadway between 9th and 11th streets) kicks off its 20th year. The 6th Avenue farmer's market (6th and Pine) kicks off June 2, and debuting this year is another farmer's market off South Tacoma Way, set to open June 20.

"Today we really don't have a relationship with our food," said Patricia Lecy-Davis, president of Go Local, an organization that helps build community support and local small businesses. "People want to have a relationship with those who grow the food. It's about getting back to connecting with the community."

With a wide variety of farmers coming to the markets from all over the Puget Sound, the Tacoma Farmer's Market Alliance hopes to give patrons just that experience. The coalition has worked to bring back farmers popular with customers and continues to find ways to expand the variety of products offered at the markets, said Laura Edwards, executive director of the alliance.

"We want people to be able to get their whole meal needs met," she said.

That includes adding meat and cheese vendors to the list and further tweaking the selection of local farmers already in attendance.

"We've worked hard on sharpening our product selection," Edwards said.

The focus also includes spreading the market to new neighborhoods this year, such as South Tacoma Way (56th and Washington).

"Farmer's markets help revitalize the community," Edwards said. "It's kind of a food desert out there (on South Tacoma Way). We want to make the community more vibrant."

The markets are also a good way for small business owners- or those thinking of starting a business - to get involved, Lecy-Davis said.

"We believe they're important and a breeding ground for small business," she said.

The alliance spent the last three years working with the Tacoma City Council to bring the market to South Tacoma Way, and will help celebrate the milestone June 20 with a Father's Day 2K Fun Run.

Thirty to forty vendors will fill the South Tacoma Market, which will run every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until September. The 6th Avenue market runs every Tuesday from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., while the downtown Tacoma market is open Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.