4 minute read
AROUND TOWN
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES
BY FREQUENTING YOUR FARMERS MARKET
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WRITTEN BY SOPHIE OSWALD PHOTOS PROVIDED BY OP FARMERS MARKET—TBL PHOTOGRAPHY
It’s that time of year! The farmers markets are about to reopen. Whether you live in Overland Park, Lenexa, Olathe, or somewhere else nearby, there will be a farmers market to visit near you. You’ll find locally grown and locally made products like fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods, and more. Each farmers market brings something unique to the table, and there is a lot of exciting news when it comes to the one in Overland Park. This year they will be celebrating their 40th anniversary back in the original location. The city is also working with the Downtown Overland Park Partnership to bring back the popular outdoor entertainment. “The 2022 market layout will expand the footprint of the overall market out from under the farmers market pavilion and into nearby parking lots and onto Marty Street,” says Kristina Stanley, City of Overland Park’s recreation supervisor. “Portions of Marty Street will be closed during market operations,” Stanley explains. The layout was much smaller in 2019, measuring a little over 22,000 square feet. This year it will be nearly 70,000 square feet! “Many of the things all stakeholders enjoyed about the Matt Ross Community Center market will be similar at the expanded pavilion site,” Stanley says. “The expanded pavilion site will offer space between stalls, provide additional parking adjacent to the market site, including parking specifically for farmers market vendors and staff, and additional nearby restrooms.” Some local farmers markets are small, while others have hundreds of vendors that come out each week. The Overland Park market is quite large. “We have almost 90 vendors with more than 45 vendors who speak 23 different languages,” says Stanley. Not every vendor will be at the farmers market each week, but there will always be a wide range of unique finds. “We have urban farmers who farm on 0.1 acre of land to farmers who own hundreds of acres,” Stanley says. “We have first-generation farmers to fourth-generation farmers,” she
continues. Some vendors sell grassfed meat and others sell gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan products. You can also find flowers, beauty products, and fresh-cooked meals. There is something for everyone. At farmers markets, you receive the highest quality produce and other unmatchable products, but you also support a wide range of local businesses and give money back to the community. “We have vendors and shoppers of all races, ethnicities, religions, national origins, and sexual orientations, so all are welcome all the time. This diversity is what makes the Overland Park Farmers Market so special,” Stanley says. Stanley explains that COVID-19 reminded us just how important farmers markets are. “When the world shut down, farmers markets were allowed to open as an essential food provider. When grocery stores and big box stores were running low on products, farmers market vendors had a surplus of food.” Taco Naco KC is one of many enthusiastic vendors you can find at the market. “The Overland Park Farmers Market is our roots. It is where we started,” explains chef Fernanda and owner Brian Goldman. “Over the years at the market, the customers, vendors, and city officials have become our friends, and we are always happy to see our friends again. We all feel like a big family in the community working together for quality products made with love and passion. There is always something special for us to wake up at 3 a.m. every Saturday morning to carefully craft each of our salsas by hand to offer at the farmers market,” they continue. Another popular vendor you can find at the market is The Wild Way Coffee. “Out of all the events we do with our mobile coffee camper, the Overland Park Farmers Market is at the top of the list,” says Christine Clutton, owner and trailer driver. “We love the friendships and relationships we’ve built with the other vendors and farmers and with the customers we see on a regular basis. All the vendors put so much love and hard work into their products; there’s a lot of pride in sharing them with the community.” There is a strong sense of family and culture behind each farmers market in the area. “Each vendor brings passion, adds purpose, demonstrates constant professionalism, and helps promote our philosophy all while adding unique quality products that the public can’t seem to get enough of no matter where we are located,” adds Stanley. This is true for other farmers markets in the area. When it comes to the Kansas City area, there is always a fantastic farmers market to visit within a reasonable driving distance. Take some time to give back to the community by checking out a market near you.
Learn more about the…
Overland Park Farmers Market:
olatheks.org/government/parks-recreation/special-events/farmers-market
