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NEWS / WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2010 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
LAWRENCE
Lawrence residents shop for locally produced goods at the Lawrence Farmers' Market last weekend. The market is open from 7 to 11 a.m. every Saturday and 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Farmers'Market offers more than fruits and veggies
Name/KANSAN
Vendors hope new evening hours will attract more students
BY SHANNA LARSON slarson@kansan.com
While some students are trying to sleep off the effects of Friday night drinking. Chelsea Harris is waking up early to do her weekly shopping at the downtown Farmers' Market.
"I can eat breakfast while I shop and get some fresh air." Harris, a junior from Wichita, said. "I think it's way better than lying in bed all day."
The downtown Farmers' Market has two locations and is held three times a week from the last Saturday in April to the second Saturday in November. More than 90 vendors provide locally grown and handmade goods.
"We've got a variety of goods from vegetables. to homemade body lotion and soap, to barbecue sauce and mint limeade," Debi Taylor, owner of Rangeland Herbs, said.
The vendors set up every Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday so their customers can find a time to come that fits their schedule.
"If I'm going to be out of town on Saturday, I can always go on Tuesday or Thursday nights," said Harris, "It's really about as convenient as a grocery store except everything is fresh."
Some vendors see regular customers from the community every week, but are looking for ways for more college students to
gain interest.
"If more college students came they would find there is so much more to choose from here, things
they won't find at the store," said Linda Hoffman, owner of Linda's Sweet Delights.
One vendor said that not only is there more to choose from, but the quality and freshness of the vendors'
grocery stores are harvested before they are ripe," said Val Littlejohn, owner of Littlejohn Sherwood Farm. "They don't hand pick things
"If more college students came they would find there is so much more to choose from here."
products cannot be found in most grocery stores.
"Most fruit and vegetables in
LINDA HOFFMAN Farmers' Market vendor
Market.
when they are ripe like we do, so you can buy them the same day."
Harris said most college students think there are only fruits and vegetables at the Farmers'
"There are so many things they can find there like fresh cut
flowers, treats for their dogs, fruit and vegetables that you can't find in stores, and even eggs and meat," Harris said.
The vendors at the Farmers' Market have an advantage that other farmers who sell their products to grocery stores don't have.
"We can control what we put out there for the public to buy," Littlejohn said. "I don't put it out unless I would give it to my family, and I want my family to have the best."
A FEW ITEMS THAT ARE IN SEASON NOW
Apricots
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Peaches
Potatoes
Sweet corn
Watermelon
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