Within minutes Newville residents snapped up all of Nancy Markowitz’s freshly picked zucchinis at the inaugural Newville Farmer’s Market Saturday.

“It’s been going much better than expected, I mean they (Markowitz) were out of zucchinis in 30 seconds,” exclaimed fellow market vendor Zach Williams.

Markowitz, Newville, also sold several dozen eggs and was pleased with the turnout Saturday.

“I am excited, and think this is a wonderful addition to Newville,” she said. “I never expected this kind of support.”

Markowitz will return to the market Saturday, which is open from 9 a.m. to noon at the John Graham Public Library, with dozen and half dozen eggs and, of course, more zucchini. Her daughter, Sara, plans to bake some zucchini bread that will be available for purchase.

“I hope it continues to grow, and that we get more people to set up,” Markowitz said.

She encourages Newville area residents to explore the different offerings at the Farmer’s Market.

In his market debut, local farmer Mark DeCristofano also sold out of several items, including kale and onions. He also had several fresh cut greens, houseplants and Concord grape plants available.

“It’s been very good today,” DeCristofano said.

Williams, who operates Virescence, near King’s Gap, Carlisle, sold a variety of fresh herbs, including cilantro and basil.

“Everything is bio-dynamically grown, using outdoor hydroponics, with no insecticides,” he said.

Biodynamic farming is a form of organic farming with a focus on sustainability, and outdoor hydroponics is a method of cultivation that allows crops to grow without soil.

To learn more, be sure to visit Williams’ booth Saturday at the farmer’s market.

“It’s been great just to speak with the vendors – they are so knowledgeable,” Markowitz said. “Customers can learn so much by talking with the vendors. People will know where their food is coming from.”

The idea of buying local attracted Newville resident Karl Smith to the market Saturday.

“I like buying locally produced products, especially food,” Smith said.

He hopes the market will continue to attract residents and “raise awareness of what is available in Newville.”

“It allows local people to meet, the market provides that connection,” Smith said.

Four area vendors sold their produce, eggs and houseplants at the John Graham Library Saturday, library director David Cubie said.

“I think the market is off to a great start,” he said. “It’s one more service we are able to offer to bring more people downtown and to the library.”

Cubie admits to “borrowing” the idea from a Camp Hill library that organized a successful farmer’s market on its grounds.

“I thought it was a great idea,” Cubie said. “I like farmer’s markets. Buying local is good for the environment, community and your health.”

He added that the Newville Farmer’s Market has oodles of room to grow on the library’s grounds – in fact the lawn will allow for 39 vendors with 10 by 10 foot stands.

“We hope to recruit more people, more vendors,” he said. “Newville is a pretty town, and it’s a nice country drive to get here. We hope people will want to get out and go to Newville.”

Community members are invited to attend the farmer’s market Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the library, which Cubie notes is a slight change from original advertising.

For more information about the market or to reserve a vendor slot, contact Cubie at (717) 776-5900 or dcubie@ccpa.net or visit the John Graham Public Library at 9 Parsonage St.