HATTIESBURG (AP) — A pound of plump and juicy tomatoes costs just $1 at the Community Farmers Market of East Jerusalem.

    That neighborhood market and many others are springing up around the city as the weather heats up in Mississippi. East Jerusalem Farmers Market provides locally grown produce and entertainment every Saturday from 7 a.m.-11:30 a.m. through August.

    ‘‘Everything is grown locally within 20 to 25 miles,’’ said Sylvia Forster, executive director of the Pinebelt Association for Families. ‘‘We hope to make this really about the community.’’

    Another farmers market had its first gathering Saturday in the Twin Forks community.

    Abdul Shareef, a vendor at the Seventh and Mobile Farmers Market, said Saturday’s gathering was just the beginning.

    ‘‘In the next two or three weeks we’ll have greens, okra and peas,’’ Shareef said. ‘‘We plan to be out here every week and next year and hopefully forever.’’

    Another vendor, Mikal Uqdah, offered two reasons why produce lovers should come to the Seventh and Mobile Farmers Market — quality and affordability.

    ‘‘They’re good homegrown vegetables that are healthy and affordable,’’ Uqdah said.

    Just a short drive into Petal, another farmers market is also selling its locally grown produce to the community.

    The Petal Farmers Market is open every week from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

    Board member Kevin Shows said the market is trying to bring a homegrown, locally-provided service to the area.

    ‘‘This is our third year doing this and we provide everything from tomatoes, potatoes, cucumber (and) squash to homemade jellies, blueberries and peppers,’’ Shows said. ‘‘We’re hoping to add even more vendors as long as they’re local.’’

    Customer Rodney Este has been going to the Petal Farmers Market for two years. He said the draw is the green beans they sell at the market.

    ‘‘They have beautiful green beans here,’’ Este said. ‘‘You’re not going to get any fresher than these. They were picked yesterday in the rain and it’s always a good deal when you can get the fresh vegetables.’’

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    Information from: The Hattiesburg American, http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com