Liberal s Farmers Market to open Saturday, May 7

The Liberal’s Farmers Market, sponsored by the Liberal Area Coalition for Families, will start up again Saturday, May 7, at the same location as last year, in Village Plaza in front of Spencer Browne’s Coffee House. The hours will be 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday.

Donna Thorp, who lives on a farm and ranch south of Kismet, has been appointed as the new Farmer’s Market Manager and will be handling the day-to-day operations.

“Anyone who was at the Farmers Market last year will recognize Donna since she was there almost every Saturday selling delicious home baked goodies – like cinnamon rolls, pies and Stromboli. We are pleased that she accepted the position as Farmer’s Market Manager and think she will do a great job,” said Kay Burtzloff, president of the Liberal Area Coalition for Families.

“Last year we were very successful at re-energizing the Farmer’s Market in Liberal by moving it to a more visible and easily accessible location, having a market manager and having promotional funds, thanks to a grant. We do not currently have a grant to support it but are utilizing funds that we got from the previous year’s fees to get the market started,” said Burtzloff. “We have made the commitment to keep the Farmer’s Market open at least through Labor Day.”

Burtzloff said a key to the success of the market has been the location. “We deeply appreciate the support we have gotten from the management of the Village Plaza.”

Thorp is married with two sons and are members of the Plains Friends Church. Her son is currently raising chickens as part of his FFA project and plans to sell fresh eggs at the Farmer’s Market.

Throp said, “I am excited to be the Farmers Market manager for this season as it allows me to share my four favorite things; crafts, baking, gardening and socializing with those that come out to seek the fruits of our labor. We have a very diverse group of vendors that are excited to be a part of the Farmers Market this season. If you are a crafter, or baker, or have extra produce you would like to share, please give me a call for more information about how you can be a vendor.”

The Farmers Market also allows booths to nonprofit and church organizations to have fundraisers. The cost of a regular booth is $20 a Saturday or $100 for the season. For non-profit fundraisers, the cost is $10 a booth. For more information about booking a booth and the rules and regulations for what can be sold at a Farmer’s Market, call Thorp at 620-391-2252. Information and regular updates can also be found on the Facebook page, Farmer’s Market in Liberal, KS.