The number of farmer's markets in New York continues to grow. As YNN's Maria Valvanis tells us, it is thanks to the increasing popularity of locally grown products and produce.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

STATEWIDE -- "People have a growing interest in learning where their food comes from, and farmer's markets are a wonderful opportunity for consumers to really interact with the people who grow their food," said Hannah Savio, a farmer at Produce Project Farm.

Local farmers are kicking off National Farmer's Market Week with encouraging news.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced Saturday that the number of markets in the state has grown significantly since 1970.

"They don't just want the tomato, they want to have a connection with the tomato and where it came from," said John Audietis, of Farmer John's Produce.

New York is home to more than 500 markets and farmers selling at the Delmar Market say, they have noticed the increase in business over the years.

"If you don't have a crop to sell, markets don't do much good," said Audietis.

And with the 2012 growing season getting off to a dry and shaky start, that was the fear of farmers locally, and across the country.

"It's significant. We lost a significant amount of product. And it slowed down. We don't have the ability to irrigate," said Audietis.

"It's been a little tough, we've had to water a lot," said Savio.

This weekends weather is sure to be a plus for local farmers. Which they say they hope will allow them to keep up with their growing clientele.

"With farming, you just got to roll with the punches," said Savio.

"We go on tomorrow, just the same as we did yesterday," said Audietis.