Urbana’s Market at the Square is using a new web-based management tool that will make it easier for customers of the farmers market to find the items they’re shopping for.

The site called “managemymarket,” will go live in April and assists in managing vendor applications, tracking payments and mapping booths among other capabilities.

With the new system, vendors are able to create profile pages with information about their produce, contact and hours of operation, which customers will be able to browse using a search bar that will allow them to type in the name of a produce item and use an interactive map to see where the stand is located at the market.

Natalie Kenny Marquez, director of Market at the Square, said many farmers markets across the country are using similar managing systems to enhance the market experience for their community.

“Our market is so big,” Marquez said. “We average 70 vendors every weekend, but 150 are registered to participate. It helps manage (the) day-to-day market.”

Vendors were able to start applying using the system Friday for the regular market season, which lasts from May to November.

Hans Bishop, vendor and vegetable farmer from Bloomington, Ill., used the program for the first time last year at the Bloomington Farmers’ Market. He said farmers in his shoes may look at it as an inconvenience at first, but it has benefits as well, especially for customers, who will find shopping at the market easier.

“Initially, the thought was that it was a pain,” he said. “We are a certified organic vegetable farm, and we sell everything from an arugula to zucchini. It was quite the task to enter all our vegetables and all the varieties.”

Since the cities use the same management program, he said signing up for the market this year will be “a piece of cake.”

Marquez said she believes the application will be very useful for families that like to plan meals in advance for the week.

“(My family) plans for the whole week, so I get everything I need over the weekend and plan the menu for each day,” she said. “If you’re someone like that, this will be very helpful…and if you have questions on how to prepare them or store them (food items), you will be able to contact that vendor directly.”

Dennis Roberts, Ward 5, said although he likes going to the market to physically compare food, he believes the program will be great for people who are looking for a particular item. He said there seems to be broad interest from the community in the market, which is why the city sponsors it.

“We all have acknowledged the tremendous interest people have in local produce,” he said. “This is a wonderful vehicle to encourage people to eat healthy.”

Corinne can be reached at [email protected].