Every Wednesday morning, Charleston’s courthouse square transforms. Vibrant reds, oranges, yellows and greens appear as every fruit and vegetable imaginable is laid out on tables at the Charleston Farmers Market.

Not only can customers buy produce, but flowers, bake goods and crafts are also available.

Bill Cornwell’s table is filled with produces galore.

The Toledo resident sells multiple fruits and vegetables – including eggplants, peppers, cucumbers, squash, apples, peaches, green beans, blueberries, nectarines and pears. He sells just about everything when it’s in season.

Cornwell has been participating in the farmers market for four or five years now, but, for him, it started long before that.

He has been coming to various markets since he was about four or five years old.

“I enjoy growing stuff,” Cornwell said. “It’s just something I do.”

These days, participating in the farmers market is just a hobby for Cornwell but that wasn’t always the case. Last year, after the factory he worked at closed, attending farmers markets became a main source for his income.

He would go to three or four markets around the area and set up a table at each one. He now owns his own metal shop, so he has scaled down a bit.

The hardest part is getting everything picked when it is ripe and ready, but it is also the most important thing to Cornwell, who wants to make sure his product is always the best it can be.

“I always pride myself in having the fresh stuff,” said Cornwell.

During the summer, picking and getting everything ready for the market takes 20 hours per day, four days a week for Cornwell.

“You give up your summer,” said Cornwell, who usually does not even go on a vacation. If he does take a trip, it’s only for a few days. Everything is behind when he gets back, which is not worth the vacation.

Every week, Cornwell arrives an hour early to set up. He usually has help from his wife and kids, but he’s on his own now that school has started.

Mark Knoop has been the market manager for 11 years and is there every morning with coffee ready for everyone. But supplying the coffee is not his only responsibility.

“I make sure everyone has an assigned spot,” said Knoop.

Negotiating conflicts, advertising and setting the dates are some of his other duties.

During the height of the season, Knoop said there are generally 20 to 25 vendors. The market will see approximately several hundred customers.

Unfortunately, Knoop does not see as many college students as he would like.

“They need to come up and visit the square. Come up and visit the farmers market and talk to the vendors,” said Knoop.

Angela Griffin and her daughter Hope have been coming to the farmers market for three years, ever since they moved to Charleston.

“We come almost every week,” said Griffin. “Especially you,” she said turning to her daughter.

“She wakes me up.”

Griffin comes for the produce but that’s not why Hope comes.

“We like the cinnamon rolls,” said Hope.

By knowing where the produce is grown, Griffin uses it as a teaching experience for her kids, showing the connection of what they eat and where it comes from.

Her favorite thing about the market, though, is the atmosphere. She really enjoys the camaraderie with the vendors and the people that come out.

The Charleston Farmers Market is open from 6 to 11 a.m. and runs until the end of October. The square is located on Seventh Street, north of campus.