More than 7,000 farmers’ markets across the country competed for the title of “America’s Favorite Market,” but voters ultimately chose Overland Park’s community of sellers and entrepreneurs as the top crop.
“Overland Park Farmers Market is the heart of this vibrant and diverse neighborhood where everyone is welcome. Many of Kansas City’s top chefs shop at this market to help create seasonal dishes throughout the KC metropolitan area.”
Sur Mu Na and her family have been one of dozens of vendors selling at downtown’s Overland Park marketplace since 2014. She and her family grew up in Myanmar (formerly Burma) but recalled moving to a refugee camp in Thailand to escape war. Na’s son, Pasaw — he translated for her mother. Their native language is Karen.
“Then I moved all the way to California and then Kansas to get closer to my family,” Pasoe said.
Na learned to farm through the New Roots Program for Refugees. Her farm, her Mo Mo Ru Tha, is now harvesting a variety of commodities, from bouquets to sustainably grown fruits and vegetables.
“It’s a really good community here,” Paso said of the Farmer’s Market. “Sometimes I trade vegetables for honey with other vendors. Everyone is very friendly.”
Chana Steinmetz
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star land news
The Na family isn’t the only one to celebrate.
The American Farmland Trust and the Coalition of Farmers Markets have teamed up for the 14th Annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration. Each year, the gala highlights markets across the United States and invites community members to vote for their favorite market. Overland Park Farmers Market won with a total of 12,004 votes. Opponents in Columbia, Missouri followed closely with his 10,785 votes.
The Overland Park Farmers Market has been around for the past 40 years, but this is the first year it’s entered the competition, Stanley said. With the first-place win, the market will earn her $5,000, which will be used for marketing and promotional efforts, she continued.
“Making more money to promote the marketplace, tell the community all about our great products, build vendor relationships and support the community to make them shop regularly. “It’s a win-win,” Stanley explained.
The Overland Park Farmers Market is home to over 90 vendors from all backgrounds, specializing in a wide variety of products.
“From urban farmers farming on 0.1 acres to farmers owning hundreds of acres, we have first through sixth generation farmers,” she said. . “We have gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and sugar-free products to cater for all special dietary needs. Shop with vendors of all races, ethnicities, religions, national origins and sexual orientations. We have our customers, we welcome everyone, and this diversity is what makes this market so special.”
Chana Steinmetz
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star land news
Behind the booth
Leland Prothe has been selling Prothe’s Pecans with his wife, Slina, at the Overland Park Farmers Market for almost ten years.
“I’ve always grown crops, corn, etc. But then I retired from all that and started growing pecans,” Prothe said. Not as fresh as the ones.Store pecans are heated and not refrigerated so they turn black and are not tasty.Ours come straight out of the tree in October, November and then stored in a walk freezer. It makes a big difference.”
Prothe’s Pecans are grown in Emporia, Kansas and come in a variety of flavors including candied, honey roasted, cinnamon, and plain for pecan lovers.
“This is just for my wife and my retirement, and we’re doing it really well,” Prothe said. “We’re really enjoying it.”
Chana Steinmetz
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star land news
The Overland Park Farmers Market also welcomes newcomers. Hannah Pleasant started at the farmers market in April. Her business, her Boujie Vegan Bakery, was greeted with enthusiasm and she sold out on her first day.
“I wasn’t sure how people in the Midwest would react to vegan food, but it was very well received,” said Pleasant.
Losing his job in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Pleasant moved from New York City to Kansas City to spend time with his parents. She started her pastry program at her college in her county, her community, but soon found that she could not eat most of the desserts she was making because of her dietary restrictions. rice field.
“Me Love Dessert,’ Pleasant said with a laugh. Anyone who wants a challenge needs this.”
Boujie Vegan Bakery officially launched in September 2021, offering nationwide delivery. For those shopping at the Overland Park Farmers Market, Pleasant recommends buying a cinnamon roll.
Chana Steinmetz
/
star land news
“You can always order my cakes and cookies online,” says Pleasant. “But the cinnamon rolls are only available here. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.”
Kurt Rafferty, a sweet tooth, has been selling pies on the market for two years. Lafferty founded Mo Pie in 2020 after more than 20 years as Vice President of Sales at Tippin’s Gourmet Pie.
“They were automating production and changing products, so I quit my previous job,” Rafferty said. “I wanted to get back to the common way of doing things by hand. It’s been a rollercoaster with COVID and supply chain hurdles. We are trying to keep up with demand.”
The title of “America’s Favorite Market” is a community award to all the market staff, vendors and shoppers who made it possible, Stanley said, adding that during the uncertain times of the pandemic, everyone to the market mentioned the dedication of
“Over the last three years, our staff, vendors and shoppers have physically pivoted repeatedly to meet the health guidelines set to open and operate safely,” Stanley said. “We have all adapted mentally to overcome our fear of the unknown and uncertainty.
“However, this pandemic has highlighted the primary function of farmers markets and how important local produce is to both vendors and shoppers,” she continued. “Markets serve healthy foods, give low-income shoppers a way to access local goods, and bring sustainable product equity to all.”
This article originally appeared on Startland News, a member of the KC Media Collective.
