GARDINER -- The Gardiner Farmers' Market will open for the season Wednesday.

The market on Gardiner Common, Brunswick Avenue, is open from 2 to 6 p.m. and features 13 local farms.

Market manager Ann Hubbard said the U.S. Department of Agriculture is expected to approve a license so farmers can accept food stamps, and that Electronic Business Transfer capability will be in place within the next few weeks.

"We hope to make good, healthy food accessible to as wide an audience as possible," Hubbard said.

He said Sparrow Farm in Pittston, which produces organic vegetables, cranberries and eggs, will join the market after participating in Gardiner's winter market. Two new vendors are Stonecipher Farm, Bowdoinham; and Marcia Dawson, of Durham. Stonecipher will be selling vegetables and salad mix; Dawson is selling a special bread made from organic Maine wheat and seeds, and garlic and cilantro humus.

Another new vendor is Webb Family Farm, Pittston, offering organic whole grains in whole-berry form, or as fresh ground flour or rolled cereal.

Returning to the market this year are:

* Albee Farming, Alna;

* Borealis Breads, Wells;

* County Fair Farm, Jefferson;

* Geroux's Café Mixes, Gardiner;

* Laughing Stock Farm, Manchester;

* Long Meadow Farm, West Gardiner;

* Popp Farm, Dresden;

* Sherman Farm; and

* Snafu Acres Farm, Monmouth.

The farmers' market sponsor, Gardiner Family Chiropractic, has underwritten the costs associated with food stamp acceptance and other advertising and promotional costs. Gardiner Main Street organized the market in 2008 and remains as its "umbrella" organization.