Our Weekly Market Connects Lawrence to Locally Grown Food and Farm Products
Shopping locally at the Lawrence Farmers Market is about keeping our local economy strong, knowing where our food comes from, reducing our carbon footprint, and supporting and connecting with our neighbors. We are a producer-only farmers market, meaning that all of the Vendors grow, raise, and/or make all of the products you see for sale at the Market. We call ourselves a hyperlocal farmers market, meaning that all of our Vendors are within 50 miles of the Market location and are located in the state of Kansas.
The Lawrence Farmers Market started in 1976 with 3 farmers selling veggies off the back of their trucks in the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce parking lot. Within just 3 years, the Market grew to 49 Vendors! Eventually, we moved into the 1100 block of Vermont St., grew to almost 100 Vendors, and added Tuesday and Thursday Markets to increase access to locally grown food on the weekdays. In 2007, the Market eventually outgrew the parking lot it had been in for a long time and moved into its current location at 824 New Hampshire St. By 2008, we had become our own nonprofit, focusing on local food education and nutritional incentive programs.
Today, we have over 65 Vendor Members creating a bustling, vibrant Saturday Morning Market in Downtown Lawrence, Kansas, bringing our community the best in fresh, local food and farm products. We are actively working with city and county partners to find a permanent location for our Market.
Stay tuned!
The Mission of the Lawrence Farmers Market
To provide children and adults in the Lawrence, Kansas area, with locally grown foods and farm products. This will be accomplished by improving access to local, healthy, affordable food through a direct farm-to-consumer marketing venue that will serve diverse populations, including those of low income.
Other goals that the Lawrence Farmers Market strives to achieve are increased education and support of Lawrence-area agriculture. The Lawrence Farmers Market believes that small, local farms are essential to the local economy and is committed to making economic and educational connections between Lawrence-area residents and local farmers.
Say Hello to Our Team
Meet our locavore staff. Their passion for local foods and small businesses is palpable and they bring unique experiences and backgrounds to create a vibrant, eclectic, bustling farmers market.
Emily Lysen
Director of Development
Employee Since 2021
As Director of Development, Emily is responsible for communications, fundraising, programming, volunteers, and outreach in the community. She leads our Long-Term Planning Committee, tasked with securing a new permanent location for the farmers market.
As our first full-time employee ever, Emily is integral to growing our market and creating a fun, welcoming atmosphere each Saturday. Emily was born and raised in Lawrence and has a background in farming, cooking, ecology, and education and is super passionate about bringing the community together and teaching kids about our local food system. Emily also serves on the Douglas County Food Policy Council and the LiveWell Douglas County Coalition.
Anna Skenadore
Market Manager
Employee Since 2023
Anna is from a small town in Wisconsin and has been in Lawrence since 2018, attending Haskell Indian Nations University. She is an enrolled tribal member of the Greenville Rancheria in California and grew up with the Menominee People of Wisconsin. She has a deep love for all things local and found community space within the Lawrence Farmers Market years before ever being Market Manager.
Anna is in charge of Market Day operations, scheduling Community Booths, managing social media, all things to do with current or future Vendors, and working with the Board and Staff to continue making LFM a Lawrence staple.
Monica Shafii
Assistant Market Manager
Our Assistant Market Manager helps run our Market Info Booth during the Market hours. They will take your Credit, Debit, and EBT cards in exchange for Market Tokens and will help give info and answer questions. They also will stamp your Loyalty Card, sell merchandise, gift certificates, and help with any other programs or special events happening at the time.
Our Board of Directors
The Lawrence Farmers Market is led by a volunteer team composed of Vendor Members and Community Members. This team works together to guide staff in carrying out the Market’s mission to improve access to locally grown food and farm products, provide education and opportunities for our community, review Vendor Applications, and interpret the Bylaws.
Sarah Salzman, Wild Alive Ferments, Board Chair Contact Sarah
Jill Elmers, Moon on the Meadow, Treasurer
Jackie Stafford, Community Member, Secretary
Elliot Pees, KANbucha
Lori Trojan, Wild Ivy Herb Farm
Laurel Eastling, Tree Line Creations
Becky Harpstrite, Community Member
Janelle Pierson, Squared Away Acres Farm
Join our Board of Directors
We are seeking new members with a variety of expertise to further our mission. To learn more about joining our Board, please reach out: Board@lawrencefarmersmarket.org
We encourage community members with experience in the following to apply:
Agriculture - Capitol Campaigns - Culinary/Restaurant Industry - Food Systems - Finance - Government - Human Resource - Information Technology - Legal - Nonprofit/Philanthropy - Project Management
Help Us Support Lawrence Families and Farmers with a Monthly Contribution
Give today to be a part of our community creating a more equitable economy around our local food. Your monthly contribution helps us year-round.
Market Updates and Events
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