HUTCHINSON, Kan — The Reno County Farmers Market will open its 41st season Saturday, featuring new vendors, expanded offerings and continued efforts to improve access to fresh food for local residents.
Market board chairman Sparkle Faidley said the market, located at Second Avenue and Washington Street in Hutchinson, continues to evolve while maintaining its focus on locally grown and produced goods.
“We have a lot of new vendors this year,” Faidley said. “Right now, we’re at about 32 vendors, though not all of them will be there at the same time.”
Seasonal availability will shape what shoppers find early in the market, she said, with fewer produce vendors at the start of May due to inconsistent spring weather. More fruits and vegetables — including peaches and sweet corn — are expected as the summer progresses.
The market will be open Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning the first Saturday in May and continuing through the end of October. A smaller midweek market will begin June 3, operating Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through September.
Faidley said organizers are working to add food trucks to the Wednesday market and have introduced a new sponsorship model to support live music performances, which typically begin at 9 a.m. each Saturday.
Local musicians remain a key part of the market’s atmosphere. “We usually keep it local,” Faidley said. “It’s talent people have probably seen around Reno County.”
In addition to produce and baked goods, the market includes a limited number of craft vendors. Faidley said that cap is necessary to meet grant requirements tied to nutrition programs, including the Double Up Food Bucks initiative.
The program allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) users to double their spending — up to $25 per visit — on qualifying food items such as fruits, vegetables, bread and jams.
“It gives people a better chance to put healthier food on the table,” Faidley said.
SNAP participants can access the program at a designated booth each Saturday, where tokens are distributed for use with vendors.
The market also serves as a community hub, hosting nonprofit organizations, Master Gardeners and informational booths that offer gardening advice and promote local events.
Faidley said organizers continue to recruit growers, including backyard gardeners interested in selling surplus produce.
“We encourage people to come down and apply,” she said. “It gives customers more options and supports local growers.”
The market traces its roots to a parking lot at First National Bank before moving to its current location after a building donation from a local family. Over four decades, it has grown into a staple community event.
Despite its longevity, Faidley said the market still faces challenges balancing vendor space and demand, which can fluctuate depending on the season.
Among this year’s additions is a vendor specializing in Asian-style foods, including potstickers and egg rolls. Meanwhile, organizers are working to maintain traditions, including the return of a kettle corn stand following the recent death of a longtime vendor.
Faidley described the market as a family-friendly destination where visitors can interact directly with growers and learn more about how their food is produced.
“It’s a really cool vibe,” she said. “You can talk to the people who grow your food, ask questions and just enjoy being part of the community.”
More information, including vendor applications and sponsorship details, is available on the market’s website.