Between Missouri and Kansas, there are impressive options for those seeking locally sourced, organic food to visit throughout the week and every weekend April-November, with one in Overland Park consistently being ranked as one of the best in the country! Read on for the best farmer’s markets in Kansas City.
Missouri Farmer’s Markets
Brookside
Known for lively events in the center of the Brookside neighborhood, this market is great at providing a wide range of vendors, artisans and kid-friendly activities. Most Saturdays, it is abuzz with shoppers, live music and the hustle and bustle of the refined area. It has become a favorite amongst Kansas Citians due to the ease of visiting the many shops and restaurants following a stroll through the plentiful booths of farmers and makers. Favorites include garden starters from Wilkinson Garden and Compost Collective KC who are intent on keeping waste out of landfills, making it easier for us all to utilize compost! Market is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., located at 6425 Wornall Road.
City Market
The most popular and largest of the area, City Market has been providing food and fun for many years. Entertainment, food trucks lining the streets and over 100 different sellers, growers and local grocers make this destination a must see. Its proximity to great restaurants and the streetcar means you should plan to spend the day exploring and shopping! Mark these events in your calendar, and plan to see all City Market has to offer every first Friday, as well as Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Lee’s Summit
The Lee’s Summit farmer’s market has become quite the event, with twice weekly showings April through November, 8 a.m. – noon. Drop by on a Wednesday for a more laid back atmosphere, or go on a Saturday and expect food trucks, a plethora of vendors, great people watching, all amongst the cute and quaint downtown. In fact, the exponential growth of this particular market (as well as the town overall) has spurred the city of Lee’s Summit to invest in a downtown redevelopment. Planning meetings are currently being held for a mixed use plaza, which will house a permanent spot for the farmer’s market as well as a conservatory, boutique hotel, commercial buildings, courtyard and outdoor performance area.
Favorite vendors to not miss when you visit: Fylar Farms for their amazing breads, baking mixes and flour and Zen Donkey Farms for their fresh and healthy juices.
Parkville
The Parkville Farmer’s Market is located in English landing, the most precious river front park, perfect for families to visit before and after their shopping. Be on the look out for Alldredge Orchards (you might have seen them on your way to Weston Applefest) for fresh peaches and apples. Then stop by Bumbler Beekepper for local honey. Don’t forget to support New Roots for Refugees who provide a multitude of fresh products while empowering community members who are or once were refugees. They use their agricultural experience from their home country and implement it with organic practices. Market is open Wednesdays noon – 4 p.m. and Saturdays 7 a.m. – noon.
Kansas Farmer’s Markets
Overland Park
Overland Park has an impressive market on the Kansas side. Since its inception forty years ago, shoppers have flocked there for seasonal produce and local finds. A recently expanded pavilion has allowed for more vendors and room for patrons to roam, and plans are in place to expand even further. Its festival feel is what draws large crowds each Wednesday and Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. From live music to food vendors, the market is certainly the place to be on a nice weekend.
Taking transparency to an elevated level, they require each seller to label all products with one of the following terms, meant to help you understand the differences in origins of products they bring:
- USDA-certified organically grown: Grown by a USDA-Certified organic farm.
- Homegrown: Planted, raised and harvested by the farm vendor on their farm or property.
- Locally purchased: Purchased by the farm vendor directly from a farmer who has planted, raised and harvested the produce within a 150-mile radius of the Farmers’ Market.
- Regionally purchased: Purchased by the farm vendor directly from a farmer or auction house outside a 150-mile radius of the Farmers’ Market.
- Warehouse: Purchased by the farm vendor from a wholesale supplier and/or large manufacturer.
Seek out the following vendors for farm to table quality ingredients: greens from Two Sisters Farm, heirloom tomatoes from Juhl Greenhouse and Truck Farm and blackberries or strawberries from Gieringer’s Orchard.
Kansas City, Kansas
This small but mighty market, operated in two different locations, provides organic food lovers with products three times a week May through October. Produce seekers are able to shop Wednesday and Saturdays at the downtown KCK location (501 Minnesota) from 8am – 1pm or on Sundays from 9am – 1pm at the Rosedale spot (4020 Rainbow Blvd). Look for fresh, high-quality fruits, vegetables, herbs, honey, jams and jellies, cheeses, flavored vinegar, cider, flowers, bedding plants, potted plants and craft items to be sold at either of these locations! Mushroom Culture KC and 63rd St. Produce are popular vendors that will be returning for the season!
Lenexa
Lenexa is booming, and its innovative farmer’s market is no different! Visit every Tuesday (9am – 1pm) or Saturday (8am – noon), but make sure to check out the site’s calendar beforehand to see the specific themes, offerings or sales of the day.
It’s Progressive Dinner concept coming in July looks like a must attend event! Vendors will supply the ingredients, and Lenexa Public Market merchants will prepare those ingredients in a special, one-night-only menu. Each merchant will serve one course, from appetizer to dessert. Guests with prepurchased tickets will eat their way through the market at their leisure, all while enjoying great food and music.
If you are merely wanting to seek out quality products, upon arrival head straight to Fox & Bull Baking Company for mouth watering breads, pastries and fresh baked pizzas, or Into the Mystic Succulents for jaw dropping arrangement and custom pots.
Spring and summer is when the Midwest truly shows off all the beautiful bounty it has to offer, and it is up to us to take advantage. Don’t waste any time, and hit up any and all of these wonderful attractions to supply your families with quality ingredients and products everyone will love. Tell us, what’s your favorite local grower or maker?
Happy shopping!
