The Tacoma Farmers Market runs not one, but three market locations throughout the city - Broadway Market downtown on Thursdays (opened May 1); 6th Avenue Market on Tuesdays (opened May 6); and the South Tacoma Market on Sundays, which opens June 1. The South Tacoma Market is perhaps one of Tacoma's most unsung treasures, but if you haven't checked it out in past years, this is the year to make your way to the SoTac - and here's why.

Farmers markets link communities and families together; the Tacoma Farmers Market mission is to connect farms and small businesses directly with the community. But the South Tacoma Market's location ups the ante on the family aspect. It's at the STAR Center on 66th and South Tacoma Way, so it's an especially great market for families.

"The market's opening day on June 1 coincides with the STAR Center's opening of their beautiful new playground and spray park," said Stacy Carkonen, new executive director of Tacoma Farmers Market. "The new playground and spray park at the STAR Center will attract a whole new crop of families to the park and to our market. Because of this expansion, we'll be adding new vendors and more activities that focus on kids and families. This year we'll introduce ‘Shop with Chef's Tours,' where local families can tour the market with a chef who will then prepare a meal from only market-sourced items."

Elsewhere in Tacoma, you won't find farmers markets parked next to playgrounds. Once the hot summer weather hits - if it ever hits - South Tacoma Market will be your all-in-one family destination.

There will also be special events hosted by the Tacoma Farmers Market and STAR Center  throughout the summer aimed at connecting the community with all the delicious foods that local farmers grow. These will include fruit and veggie tastings as well as cooking classes. Cooking classes will focus on locally sourced foods, so you can get a few ideas of what to do with the produce at the market, as well as canning classes, so the summer and fall harvests can last all winter long.

Other events will include craft sessions for kids, a special Baseball Day, a veterans' appreciation day, and skateboard and kendama clinics. There will likely be more events on tap, but the market is still hashing out its calendar.

Like at all Tacoma Farmers Market locations, shoppers will find booths stocked with fruits and veggies, meats, flowers, food vendors where you can grab lunch, and crafts hosted by local community groups. There's also live music at all of the markets to make sure your shopping is particularly groovy.

"Farmers markets thrive in communities rich in diversity where people from all walks of life can meet and mingle in a safe and enriching environment," Carkonen said. "This is especially true of our South Tacoma market at the STAR Center. This community is incredibly diverse, and we have so much to share with one another."

All of the markets, including South Tacoma Market, accept WIC, EBT and Senior Nutrition Vouchers as well as cash, debit and credit cards. That means you can buy your veggies in just about any way your heart can dream up. The Market wants everyone to have access to fresh produce.

The Broadway Market is open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the 6th Ave Market is open Tuesdays from 3-7 p.m.; and the South Tacoma Market is held Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Stay up to date with what's going on at Tacoma Farmers Market locations through its Facebook page and tacomafarmersmarket.com.