I am embarrassed that so many weeks have passed since I have updated my blog. I have been busy visiting farms and crafter workshops but have not been able to find the time to write about it. Summer at the City Market always keeps us busy but in a good way.

The Wednesday “Mini Market” is up and running with about nine vendors participating, now all we need are customers. The “Mini Market” hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. but some of the vendors are set up by 9 a.m. All of the City Market shops and restaurants are open and free parking is available in the Market Square for two hours, which is plenty of time to shop and grab some lunch.

Kao Chang and her mother See Vue are Wednesday vendors and have been for two years. Kao handles the market booth while her mother is busy tending the farm. This year they expander their operation to Basehor, Kansas and farm 5 acres, they actually have a 100 acre farm but it is more than they can do alone. Produce is running about three weeks behind on some items so I wish I had waited a couple weeks before visiting. I visited Basehor on May 24^th so they were just getting started getting plants in the ground. See’s Family Farm also have a garden behind Kao’s home, which they were able to get planted a little sooner once the weather finally broke in April. See currently has kale, garlic, onions, greens and squash available on Wednesdays. Once all the plants on their new farm start producing the quantity and variety of vegetables will jump.

Since Basehor is just a hop skip and a jump from Tonganoxie, KS, I stopped by Chava’s Farm while I was in the area. Chava and Mayka continue to expand their farm each year since they started vending at the City Market in 2012. Chava started back at the Saturday and Sunday market a couple weeks ago and will continue through the fall. While I was there Chava was busy clearing a new plot at the rear of his property, I decided not to keep him from his work and walked through the field alone. Chava had cucumbers, sweet peas, parsley, dill, garlic, lettuce, squash and a variety of flowers already in and doing very well. I will probably stop by again later this summer and see how the new area is coming along. Chava’s Farm is in the Farm 100% with Local Supplement category so in addition to selling produce he grows he can also supplement no more than 50% of the product he sells per market day. All supplemented product must be harvested within 500 miles of the market and vendors are required to post the farm name and location for customers. Chava’s farm is located in pavilion three stalls 103 and 104 on Saturdays and pavilion 2 stalls 54 and 55 on Sundays. 

My last stop for the day is also in Tonganoxie at Sacred Heart Healing Center. Janna Fackrell recently turned in an application to vend at the Sunday and Wednesday markets. After visiting Janna’s website www.sacredheartshealingcenter.com I must say I was intrigued. Janna makes a variety of creams, salves and sprays. I was so happy when she told me she makes an all-natural sunscreen. Since I am outside more than I am in side, I will certainly try this. She also makes a product to help relieve the aches and pains of arthritis, again count me in. Janna is a non-contracted Artist Crafter vendor, this means her location might vary each time she vends. If you like her product, you can also buy them on line.