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Independence, MO —
It’s June, produce is coming in, and local farmers markets are in full swing.
1. What’s in season?
Things are “just getting geared up,” said Joe Antoine, manager of the Independence Farmers Market and the Hartman Heritage Farmers Market.
Farmers are selling tomatoes, peaches, cabbage, gooseberries, green beans, peas, radishes and onions, among other things.
“A few of the farmers are still selling bedding plants,” he said.
In two or three weeks, melons and sweet corn should be available.
2. Why go?
“The biggest part of our farmers market are long-standing customers who want to eat local and eat healthy,” Antoine said.
Many prefer food from a farmers market to that from the grocery store.
“Once people find it, it’s really a no-brainer,” he said.
And there’s the camaraderie.
“A lot of folks come up there just to visit with the farmers and the people they know,” Antoine said.
3. When and where?
There are two farmers markets in Independence, one in Blue Springs and more than a dozen others in Eastern Jackson County and Kansas City.
• The Independence Farmers and Craft market has been around for years at the parking lot on Truman Road between Liberty and Main, on the north edge of the Square. Saturday hours are 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. May through October. Wednesday hours, starting next week, are 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. and run through October. There are 50 spots for vendors and 25 for crafters.
• The farmers market at the Hartman Heritage development is in its third year and kicks off this Sunday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays June through October and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays June through September. It’s on Jackson Drive, just west of Little Blue Parkway, near Bed, Bath & Beyond. Although there might be five or six vendors, Antoine notes that this market is still relatively new and building the business takes time.
“It takes a long time. It’s all word of mouth,” he said.
• The Blue Springs Farmers Market runs on Saturdays, May through October. Hours are 7 a.m. to noon. It’s downtown, in 11th Street just off Main Street.
• Find other markets at http://agebb.missouri.edu/fmktdir/
There are 17 listed in Jackson County, including Raytown, Lee’s Summit and several in Kansas City
4. What else can I buy?
The Blue Springs market advertises plants – annuals and perennials – as well as blankets, jams and jellies, and baked goods. In Independence, vendors have hand-made jewelry, crocheted items, woodworking items, honey, apple butter, eggs and baked goods. “We do have jams and jellies,” Antoine said.
5. How do I stretch by dollar?
Under the Beans & Greens program, there’s a two-for-one. Anyone with an EBT card can buy $50 in food for $25 at the Independence Farmers Market.
It’s June, produce is coming in, and local farmers markets are in full swing.
1. What’s in season?
Things are “just getting geared up,” said Joe Antoine, manager of the Independence Farmers Market and the Hartman Heritage Farmers Market.
Farmers are selling tomatoes, peaches, cabbage, gooseberries, green beans, peas, radishes and onions, among other things.
“A few of the farmers are still selling bedding plants,” he said.
In two or three weeks, melons and sweet corn should be available.
2. Why go?
“The biggest part of our farmers market are long-standing customers who want to eat local and eat healthy,” Antoine said.
Many prefer food from a farmers market to that from the grocery store.
“Once people find it, it’s really a no-brainer,” he said.
And there’s the camaraderie.
“A lot of folks come up there just to visit with the farmers and the people they know,” Antoine said.
3. When and where?
There are two farmers markets in Independence, one in Blue Springs and more than a dozen others in Eastern Jackson County and Kansas City.
• The Independence Farmers and Craft market has been around for years at the parking lot on Truman Road between Liberty and Main, on the north edge of the Square. Saturday hours are 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. May through October. Wednesday hours, starting next week, are 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. and run through October. There are 50 spots for vendors and 25 for crafters.
• The farmers market at the Hartman Heritage development is in its third year and kicks off this Sunday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays June through October and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays June through September. It’s on Jackson Drive, just west of Little Blue Parkway, near Bed, Bath & Beyond. Although there might be five or six vendors, Antoine notes that this market is still relatively new and building the business takes time.
“It takes a long time. It’s all word of mouth,” he said.
• The Blue Springs Farmers Market runs on Saturdays, May through October. Hours are 7 a.m. to noon. It’s downtown, in 11th Street just off Main Street.
• Find other markets at http://agebb.missouri.edu/fmktdir/
There are 17 listed in Jackson County, including Raytown, Lee’s Summit and several in Kansas City
4. What else can I buy?
The Blue Springs market advertises plants – annuals and perennials – as well as blankets, jams and jellies, and baked goods. In Independence, vendors have hand-made jewelry, crocheted items, woodworking items, honey, apple butter, eggs and baked goods. “We do have jams and jellies,” Antoine said.
5. How do I stretch by dollar?
Under the Beans & Greens program, there’s a two-for-one. Anyone with an EBT card can buy $50 in food for $25 at the Independence Farmers Market.
