(La Porte, IN) - People on food assistance will start being able to purchase food at the Farmed and Forged market in downtown La Porte this weekend.

Officials said fruits, vegetables and other items like bread, cereal, meat and eggs can be purchased from a select number of vendors with a swipe of the national food assistance cards. In exchange, vouchers will be given to make the purchases.

Additionally, the market has teamed up with local chef Marcello Marino, founder of La Ventana Nonprofit Culinary School, to lead monthly cooking demonstrations. Chef Marino will lead these live cooking demonstrations on the second Sunday of every month, where all ingredients used for his dishes will be provided by local market vendors.

The demonstrations will take place in the parking lot next to the market at 11:30a and 1:30p.m. Attendees will learn about basic culinary skills, how to prepare the recipe from start to finish and will even get to sample the completed dish.

The revamped market at Lincolnway and Monroe Street is open every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through September 24th.