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Takoma Park's Crossroads Farmers Market will open for its third season today, offering a smorgasbord of food and produce, from locally-grown fruits and vegetables to Salvadoran pupusas and Korean bulgogi dishes.

Despite the death of the market's founder, Takoma Park resident John Hyde, in March, as well as hardships with the organization of the market last year, organizers are confident that the outdoor farmer's market in the 1300 block of Holton Lane will be better than ever this year with the addition of more vendors and a wider array of musical performers who will entertain customers from June through closing Oct. 28.

"I had this list of five people [last year] who were supposedly board members who were largely inactive," said market manager Michelle Dudley. "Now I have this list of 10 people who are very active to help."

With the help and continued support from the City of Takoma Park, the Crossroads Development Authority and other local benefactors, Dudley has hired two new market assistants and can afford to continue programs such as free bus transportation for seniors and low-income assistance programs.

The market has also attracted a number of new vendors this year, including Panaderia Chapina, a Guatemalan bakery based in Hyattsville, and retained most of its clients from the previous two years, such as John Brill, the owner of Sligo Creek Farms, who has had a stall at the market since the end of the first summer.

"The market was a very good experience. As we got to the middle of the summer [business] really picked up," he said, adding that he expects even more customers this year thanks to the music program and new vendors. "One thing I really like about the market is people from all different parts of the world come to the market. So it's a really great experience for me just getting to meet those people."

Another draw for the market is the food assistance program, which allows customers to exchange food stamps or coupons from the Department of Agriculture's Women, Infant and Children food assistance program for "fresh checks" that can be used at the market. Fresh check users receive $10 their first week and $5 each following week, Dudley said.

The City of Takoma Park and the Crossroads Development Authority have also collaborated to allow residents at nearby senior citizens communities, including Victory Towers and the Franklin Apartments, access to free transportation to and from the market, held each Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Another benefit of the market, other than its efforts to appeal to predominantly lower-income renters in the Crossroads area and city senior citizens, is the revitalization effect it is likely to have on the neighborhood, which regularly tops the city's crime statistics charts each year, according to market spokesman Jeff Hoffman.

"It helps to upgrade and really improve that whole area around Holton Lane, to encourage and improve the community involvement in that area," Hoffman said.