With the pandemic winding down and the weather warming up, farmers markets are bound to be a hit this summer. Such is proven on this year’s Overland Park Farmers Market’s opening weekend: The market hosted 3,500 shoppers, making it one of their highest-trafficked opening days yet. The pandemic also brought more attention locally grown food and where food comes from—complicated global supply chains took a big hit, and local produce is in more demand than ever. This year, the list of produce and mercantile-like stops is continually growing at markets in both Kansas and Missouri. Check out these five notable farmers markets in Kansas City to shop this weekend.
Overland Park Farmers Market
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Posted by Overland Park Farmers Market on Saturday, May 1, 2021
The Overland Park Farmers Market is described by market manager Kristina Stanley as “the focal point of the vibrant and diverse Downtown OP neighborhood where all are welcome.”
The market is located at the Matt Ross Community Center and features ninety vendors offering diverse assortments of seasonal produce and products. “The city of Overland Park and community were reminded just how essential the farmers’ market truly is,” Stanley says. “We provide healthy food and give low-income shoppers a way to access local goods bringing the equality of sustainable products to all. Staff, vendors and shoppers physically pivoted and mentally adapted to overcome the fears and uncertainties of the unknown. This pandemic has highlighted the primary function of what a farmers’ market is and how critical local food is to both vendors and shoppers.”
While market events and entertainment remain suspended, mobile businesses like Flatlanders Flower Truck and The Wild Way Coffee and vendors like Kansas City Canning Co. and Five Mile Farm eggs are still great ways to shop around and support local.
Matt Ross Community Center, Saturdays from 7:30 am-1 pm and Wednesdays from 7:30 am-1 pm beginning in June.
Brookside Farmers Market
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The Brookside Farmers Market has been providing to its Brookside community for 18 years and is now open year-round. This market is the only one in the city to require that all produce sold is organic and puts a heavy focus on sustainability, offering customers reports and updates on their website, along with a rundown of their 30 featured vendors for 2021. This weekend, the Brookside market will be hosting a “Get Your Garden Growing” event Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm, where market-goers can get free compost and tree seedlings to assist in the curation of a healthy and sustainable at-home garden. Shoppers can enter to win a worm compost bin, an addition made by vendor Compost Collective.
6425 Wornall Road, KCMO, Saturdays from 8-1 pm April through October, and Saturdays 9 am-noon through the winter season.
The City Market
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A Kansas City classic and the area’s oldest farmers market—legend has it either a bunch of carrots or radishes were the first produce sold in 1857—the City Market has become a one-stop shop with dozens of vendors, merchants and restaurants open year-round.
20 E. 5th St., KCMO, Saturdays from 7 am-3 pm and Sundays from 9 am-3 pm.
Paradise Farmers Market
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Newest to the farmers market scene is a casual yet hip market conducted by Crossroads plant nursery Paradise Garden Club. “The Crossroads and downtown loop are growing fast and we have an opportunity to serve thousands of deserving humans by building a farmer’s market with all of our vibes,” the shop said in an Instagram post. After a successful first weekend open, Paradise Farmers Market will continue every Saturday from 8-11 am, and will feature many of Kansas City’s popular vendors like Yoli Tortilleria, Easy as Pie KC, and Ruby Jeans Juicery and live music by Kansas City DJ Jon Marzette.
1621 Locust St., KCMO, Saturdays from 8-11 am
KCK Farmers Markets
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Striving to bring food to historical food deserts in KCK, “healthy, affordable food is always essential to keeping our city thriving,” said Kansas City, Kansas, Board Co-Chair Stephanie Moore in a recent press release.
This season, the markets of KCK have merged into three separate locations: two located in Strawberry Hill, and the other in Rosedale. The markets will make up for the lack of grocery stores in these areas. The markets are also participating in the New Roots for Refugees program, a non-profit that empowers and assists refugees with their startups.
4020 Rainbow Blvd., KCK. Sundays from 9 am-1 pm, May to October
Merc Co+op parking lot, 501 Minnesota Ave, KCK. Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 am-1 pm from June to October.
