It’s hot. It’s REAL hot. I have not felt like eating, much less cooking, anything interesting so I do not have a recipe to share today. We have, however, been busy teaching classes and you can read some recently updated posts for our Basics and Vegetables and Grains classes by clicking on the links provided. If you are enjoying your local farmer’s market then you might find the Vegetables and Grains post to be particularly inspiring as far as recipes are concerned.
I for one have been enjoying all of the many farmer’s markets here in Kansas City this summer. They are popping up everywhere. I have been wanting to do a series of posts on my favorite farmer’s markets in KC, so now is the perfect time. I’ll kick off the series with one that I visited for the first time this week – downtown Overland Park, KS. It was late Wednesday morning and it was hopping! While there were many reasons I loved this farmer’s market, I can only highlight the top two – New Roots for Refugees and Gannon Family Farms.
The New Roots for Refugees booths were filled with stunning produce grown by the timid, yet proud, refugee women standing behind the table. They didn’t speak a lot of English, but they didn’t have to. Their tables were filled with delicious vegetables of all kinds and I wanted to buy it all – no sales pitch needed. This is an amazing program. Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas City, along with Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture, started this program to give refugee women in Kansas City a chance to establish a new life in a new country. They use skills they already possess, farming, and are then taught English and the business skills and support needed to manage their own business. They are given a plot of land to grow their vegetables (including ethnic varieties from their homelands), which they take to various KC farmer’s markets, as well as, sell through CSA’s. This screams “solution” on so many different levels. These women and their families are escaping unimaginable situations and coming to “the land of opportunity” to start a new life. Do you know how difficult that is, though? There are so many unemployed Americans with college degrees who can’t even find work and are struggling to pay their mortgages. Imagine if you didn’t have a bit of experience to market yourself with and even if you did, you couldn’t speak the language to describe it. If you’re lucky you get a slave job in a factory or somewhere else in the industrial machine of this nation. Your wages do not provide enough for nutritious food for your family, especially not fresh, organic produce. So, these women have the opportunity to grow healthy food for their families while earning an income in a respectable and fulfilling way. Most importantly, in a safe environment. Given what they are coming from, I imagine that has to equate to winning the lottery to us or maybe a visit from Extreme Home Makeover. It’s huge. If you would like to learn more, check our their blog here or find them on Facebook here.
My second favorite thing about the Overland Park farmer’s market was meeting Whitedove Gannon from Gannon Family Farms. My friend has been telling me about the Gannon’s for weeks now, so I was looking forward to meeting them. I was surprised when I found out their meat is packaged in my hometown of Lockwood, MO! So funny! She was so friendly and their meat is delicious. I purchased some brats and bacon and will be looking forward to more very soon. Check our their blog here or find them on Facebook here.
Overland Park Farmer’s Market Information:
| April 17-May | Saturdays only, 6:30 am to sellout |
| June-September | Wednesdays, 7:30 am to sellout Saturdays, 6:30 am to sellout |
| October | Saturdays only, 6:30 am to sellout |
Located on Marty between 79th and 80th Streets, the Downtown Overland Park Farmers Market is a thriving open air market offering produce, flowers, specialty foods and entertainment for the entire family.
What is your favorite farmer’s market?
Thank you for so thoroughly understanding the value of this program! We are all really proud to be creating this space for the women to learn and grow and to settle into their new country, and to meet a real market need for good, fresh produce.
Katherine Kelly, KC Ctr for Urban Ag, http://www.kccua.org
Hi Jamie,
Great blog post! I went back to the OP market today at 10 am, and it was crazy busy. It seemed like there were twice as many vendors and at least twice as many shoppers. Green Dirt Farm had a booth so I got some yummy cheese, and I also picked up a pound of emu meat from 4D Acres. I made some great emu burgers last week, and I want to try them on the grill this week.
I saw Whitedove again, and she showed me a print-out of your blog post that had been given to her by the director of the market. She was very excited! She told me that they will be doing some Italian sausages soon. Let me know if you want some.
Katherine – It takes a great deal of strength and compassion to do what you are doing. Bless you!! I would love to visit the farm someday or if you have any volunteer opportunities, I know several people who would be interested.
Laura – Thanks for getting me down south and telling me about these awesome vendors! I can’t believe I haven’t been to that market before!
Bravo! Your post is spot on. These are two of my favor vendors at the market too. We also really like the Organic Garden. We have a booth at the market on Saturdays (sorry we missed you) so we are there for +/-7 hours every week and really get to know the other vendors. You definitely picked some winners!
Valerie Jennings
Hippie Chow
http://www.hippiechowgranola.com
Thanks Valerie! I’ll have to make it down on a Saturday and stop by. You’re granola looks delicious!
Hi Jamie,
Yes, it was a sweet surprise when the market manager Deborah came up just as I set up my booth to inform me that I had a nice write up on your blog. Thank you so much. We work hard to bring only the very best meats to our customers in Overland Park. There are some great vendors at the OP market. We are fortunate to be among them. I am currently looking into hosting a Fresh screening down here in Fort Scott. You have certainly tagged my curiousity. I enjoyed the bit on your blog about Kamut. I have recently purchased some berries and will be grinding them soon. On my recipe list is your Coffee Cake Muffins!!
I look forward to seeing you again at the Overland Park Farmers Market!!
Whitedove Gannon
Gannon Family Farm
Hi Whitedove! Let me know if you want to borrow my copy of Fresh to watch (I have two). And if do you have a screening, I would love to come. Hope you like the muffins. I love Kamut! I’m trying to convince Lee Quaintance in Edgerton, KS, to grow it, as well as, farro : ) See you soon!
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