It's Friday, about 6:30 a.m. Most people are just waking up, but for Keo Oulayrack and family, the work day has already begun.

As the vendors for the farmers market at the University of Hawai'i-Mänoa's Campus Center, the Oulayracks provide the public with fresh and affordable produce.

"We grow most of our vegetables, but some are from our neighbors," Oulayrack said.

With the economy in its current dismal state, every penny saved can help — and savings are what the UH farmers market has been striving to provide for about six years.

Some produce can cost almost 50 percent more at grocery stores.

When compared for this article, the price of long eggplant at a local grocery store was $2.99 for three, compared with $2.50 for the same amount at the farmers market.

The local store charged $8 for five oranges, versus five for $3 at the farmers market.

Locally grown basil at the farmers market was 75 cents, while basil at the grocery store cost $3.79 for a bag about a third the size of the one at the farmers market.

In addition to savings, the farmers market provides healthful alternatives to fast food.

Julia Hummon, a UH-Mänoa staff member, goes every Friday to the Campus Center farmers market.

"It's convenient to shop here because I work at the university," Hummon said.

In addition to the farmers market, the Campus Center courtyard also hosts Bale's bakery as a vendor. It is here you can find all their goodies, from their famous pickled vegetables to croissants and cookies and even lavosh.

Sheryl Aguilar, one of the employees running the stand, said this is the only farmers market for Bale.

"We bake all of our products at our main warehouse," Aguilar said.

In addition to the farmers market and Bale's bakery, there are other vendors such as Pukoa Imports, Lupe's South Pacific Collection and Focus Fusion, all of which sell crafts and jewelry, according to the UH-Mänoa Campus Center's Web page.

The farmers market is open every Friday from 6:30 a.m. until about 2:30 p.m.