Leaf, bibb and romaine lettuce adorned the display table, contrasting nicely with big bunches of red beets. There was also broccoli, beans, Swiss chard and other vegetables -- all of it freshly grown and picked on a North Hills farm.

And, sweet corn and peaches will be available soon, perhaps as early as today.

The produce is available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Thursday at an indoor farmers market where shoppers can browse in air-conditioned comfort, shielded from rain or hot sun, in the lobby of Focus on Renewal's Father Ryan Arts Center, 420 Chartiers Ave., in the heart of the McKees Rocks business district.

"Business is a bit slow but steady," Richard R. O'Toole Jr. said last Thursday as he waited on shoppers. But then, the market is new. It will remain open through October.

Mr. O'Toole, of Hampton, calls his venture Markets on a Mission. He organized the McKees Rocks farmers market and three others to help people eat better while working to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

The farmers markets are part of The Dr. Richard R. O'Toole Pediatric Fund, a nonprofit organization he founded in memory of his late father, who was a pediatrician.

FOR in recent years has not been able to line up a local farmer who could regularly supply a farmers market. Mr. O'Toole teamed up with the family-run Kaelin Farms in Franklin Park.

Mr. O'Toole hopes business will increase once senior citizens get their vouchers from the state-administered Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

The program gives qualifying seniors $20 in vouchers.

The O'Toole Fund will take telephone orders, reserve produce for pickup and arrange for home delivery.

For information, visit www.stopfasd.org or call 412-487-0816.