By Christine Hill
This holiday season, start a new and meaningful tradition by preparing a holiday feast sourced from local farmers.
Thanksgiving is the official beginning of holiday celebrations that are full of food, family and a warm sense of community bonding. Bringing at least one locally raised or grown food to the table during the season helps the Kansas City metro community thrive by supporting local farmers. Compared to store bought food, local farmers are less likely to use synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which helps keep food healthy and natural.
“Of all the meals of the year, the Thanksgiving meal in particular deserves our greatest empathy and consideration for the plants and animals that adorn the table,” said Brooke Salvaggio, local farmer and organizer of BADSEED Farmers Market. “It is a delicious opportunity to celebrate the Earth’s integrity and the gastronomic awesomeness of the final harvest.”
A few area organizations offer tips on easy ways to find fresh, local food. Check Kansas City Food Circle for area farmers markets, restaurants and community supported agriculture programs available throughout the year. The Greater Kansas City Food Policy Coalition and KC Healthy Kids offer ideas for adding local food to every meal.
To get you started on finding local sources, here are some holiday events, farmers markets and farms that have meat, produce, dairy and eggs available during the winter.
Local Food Holiday Events
BADSEED Farmers Market, 1909 McGee St., Kansas City, MO
Pre-Thanksgiving Farmers Market, November 20, 4 – 9 p.m.
BADSEED Holiday Farmers Market, December 18, 4- 9 p.m.
Heritage pork, pastured poultry, grass-fed beef, fresh chestnuts, pecans, black walnuts, artisan cheese, hearth breads, sweet potatoes, turnips, mushrooms and free-range eggs.
Brookside Farmers’ Market, 63rd and Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO
November 21, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Organic and local vegetables, herbs, homemade products and meats
www.brooksidefarmersmarket.com
Overland Park Farmers Market
Overland Park Farmers’ Market, 7950 Marty St., Overland Park, KS – November 21, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Holiday Market, Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty St., Overland Park, KS – December 5, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Vendors will sell produce, food and crafts
Holiday Farmers Market, Lawrence Holidome, McDonald Dr. & 2nd St., Lawrence KS
December 12, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Local farmers and artisans
Winter Farmers Markets
BADSEED Winter Market, 1909 McGee St., Kansas City, MO
December 4 – February 26, 4 – 9 p.m.
City Market, 20 E. 5th St., Kansas City, MO
November – February; Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. & Sundays, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., year-round
More Local Food Sources
Door to Door Organics
Local organic food delivered to your door
Fahrmeier Farms
Local and seasonal produce
Golden Ridge Farms, Osawatomie, KS
Pecans, jellies and jams
Green Dirt Farm, Weston, MO
Sheep cheese and yogurt
Local Pig, 2618 Guinotte Ave., Kansas City, MO
Heritage pork, sausage, chicken, lamb, duck and beef
Manifest Chocolates, Kansas City, MO
Handcrafted raw, vegan chocolates
Paradise Locker Meats, Trimble, MO
Beef, pork, sausage and poultry
Schenker Family Farms
Beef, lamb, pork, chicken and sausage
The Sundry
Pre-order local brined turkey, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, stuffing, pumpkin pie and more. The market carries local produce, meats, spirits, cookware and seasonal teas and cider.