Lawrence Farmers Market

a very cute farmers market with local produce and products all over the Lawrence / surrounding areas. I love the local flowers and coffee they offer during the summer months and the fall varieties of vegetables during autumn.

Of all the farmer's markets I've been to in the KC metro, this market always comes across as the liveliest and "organic", i.e. local. It's never slammed with people, you don't have to know someone to find parking within 5 minutes, and they always have a nice variety of offerings. Want veggies and fruits? Got it. Want baked goods and cooked food? Got it. Soaps and lotions? Find it here. Drink offerings, alcoholic and non? Yup, that's here. It's also just not one of something, which is nice for the customer to compare. I try to venture up (or down?) here once a month, and $20 always goes a long way, and that includes food to eat there. My only gripe is that it's not closer to KC, but then it would probably lose its vibe / feel, so it's for the best.

The Lawrence Farmers Market is huge and awesome. It was kind of a destination for me! We came from Manhattan and spent Friday night at a hotel. Though the market opens very early at 7 AM, we had some Free State beer the night before and slept in a bit. We got to the market after 9 and it was hoppin'! It is a very sizable market that had a maze to walk through to see everything. I started off the day with a peach-jalapeno popsicle for breakfast. Then Eric R. and I tried a coconut macaroon. We ended up also sharing a chicken tamale (not all at once but we nibbled whenever we found an interesting vendor). We almost dined at the Purple Carrot truck which had a lot of yummy menu items with beets and avocado, but we were filling up fast. HyVee had a mini buffet of items the chefs made with purchases from the market: fingerling potatoes, red long beans, and a goat cheese frittata. We tried to buy the red long beans but someone snatched them from under us so I had to buy them at The Merc once we left (but it was cheaper at The Merc!)I especially looked forward to Bimi Bakery's booth where we got matcha cookies, sesame coconut adzuki mini cupcakes and a red bean chestnut steamed bun. We sampled the sake cake but a lady came up and took the last one while we were there. We also had iced green tea and hot hojicha tea. I also picked up a shiso plant from here. I am very impressed with this market and would definitely return!

I came to The Lawrence Farmer's Market via the recommendation of former Lawrencian, Betsy K and let me tell you, Betsy K don't lie! This is everything a farmer's market should be. The star of the show is the glorious fresh produce sold by the farmers themselves, helpful and friendly folk who will tell you all you want to know about their offerings. In addition to that, you have the unexpected: the baked goods (I had a slice of the best jalapeno cornbread ever), the goat's milk soaps and shaving creams, the Ostrich eggs (which scare the bejesus out of me), the cooking demonstrations, the live music, the hand made knits, the jewelry/crafts and more. I would give this five stars, really I would, but for the fact that I can never get my act together on a Saturday morning to be up and at 'em in time to get the strawberries in June (you need to be there by 7am sharp, because they sell out immediately). OK, I'm gonna come even cleaner that that: I can't even get my act together to get there by the time they pack up for the day (11am). Every damn week I vow, "this will be the one! I'm setting my alarm, and I'm gonna beat the earliest of the early birds!" And it never, ever happens. Hence, we've only made it early one time, and two or three times we were able to catch the tail end of it (that is, we were able to grab the leftovers as the farmers were packing up their stands to go home). Ah well. Spring is right around the corner, right?

Been coming since the 80s. It's one of the coolest things about living in Lawrence that most of the town doesn't have a clue about. I'm just fine with that.Saturday morning is a ritual for me. Get my first cup of joe from the nice Peruvian lady on the east side of the market followed up by a pork tamale with hot sauce from the guy that co-owns La Parilla, Zen Zero and Genovese. I really think he comes here to experience being a street vendor and he has *great* stories about his grandmother in the mountains somewhere in Central America. A chicken and some eggs from Sweetlove Farms please, and all those terrific green vegetables, goat meat, lamb, flowers, homemade granola and other goodies, and on and on. Don't pass up a Clark family homemade pie. Pricey? Yes. The real deal? Absolutely. Can your momma make one that good? I bet against it.This market is about more than just shopping for locally sourced food. Whatever you do, whatever you DO, stop and spend some time chatting with the vendors. You'll make new friends along the way.The late spring leeks are just coming on and they're to die for. Julia Child leek and potato soup for lunch this Saturday at noon, my house, every weekend as long as they're available.But be warned: some prices can be pretty high. If you want cheap, poor tasting, chemically sprayed stuff from a greenhouse there's Dillon's, HyVee or Checkers. Want to know what real food tastes like? Get it here.

Stopped here by chance just now Good variety of fruits and veggiesSome were over ripe but a lot were very very good. We got watermelon cantaloupe cherries peaches onions tomatoes cucumbers Prices a little high but good quality vegetables A great find while out here on the road !!!

I'm writing this as a review of the LFM's holiday mart they had at the Holidome and so this may not be the appropriate place so if the YELP gawds decide to zap this review, so be it. ;o)_Ok, we LOVED the holiday mart and we spent a lot of money. They had everything from fresh, home grown vegetables (yes, even in December there are Kansans growing produce in high tunnels), soaps, prepared foods, baked goods, pictures, crafts, artwork, you name it. This just encourages me to try to make a visit to the regular market next year. But, if you're close to Lawrence or like to make the drive, you've got to experience the holiday mart.

Rarely am I up early enough to go but when I am I never miss the farmers market. Love the quality and local produce available. Ps check out the breakfast burritos and tamales they are so good.

Elk, beef, lots of veggies, baked goods, emu oil, ostrich eggs, breakfast tacos, and live music; what more could you want out of a Farmer's Market? We are regulars here, and my only complaint is that it's sometimes tough to get there early enough to get dibs on all the goodies. These are small local area farms, so they are limited in the amount of stuff they bring, and they sell out quickly!Come out and support your local growers!

I absolutely love the Lawrence Farmers Market. Supporting incredibly hardworking people who charge fair/inexpensive prices and tell you exactly how they grow their crops/bake their pastries/raise their animals/make their art? YES please!Lawrence has an impressively extensive market with fantastic variety. Go early (the Saturday market opens at 7 and the opening bell is the time to get the best selection, though they are open until 11) and often (you can also go Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6). The well-kept website offers a weekly newsletter that comes to your inbox every Thursday or Friday to keep you apprised of all the products that will be available at that week's market. PLUS, the market often has musicians, singers, free samples, and guest chefs!Also, once a year in early/mid-December, the Market reopens indoors and offers a vast selection of their best products along with some extras for holiday shopping. Stock up then!Thank you, Lawrence Farmers Market and all those whose dedication makes it happen.