Craving springtime? This market in Lenexa can bring a bit of the season to shoppers

Lisa Geiser is hoping to bring more to her customers at the Lenexa Winter Market than the lettuce and greens she has grown and the meats she has raised.

“This time of year is hard,” Geiser said. “People aren’t getting out. It’s cloudy and cold. Seeing something green and fresh and vibrant — it automatically makes you smile. It brings your attitude up.”

Geiser, of Table Top Farms in Chillicothe, is one of the vendors at the Market, which will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 25 at Lenexa City Hall, 17101 W. 87th St. Parkway.

The Lenexa Winter Farmers Market began in 2018. The city already operated an outdoor farmers market from late April to late October.

“We knew we wanted to extend the connection between customers and vendors year-round,” said Lenexa Farmers Market Manager Hailey Tassone.

At first, holiday markets were held in November and December. Tassone said the current format of monthly winter markets started in January 2020.

“Holiday and winter markets allow our vendors to generate income during cold winter months while making sure locally grown and made products are available to customers,” Tassone said.

The winter markets started small with about a dozen vendors.

“The events now draw as many as 1,200 shoppers in a three-hour period,” Tassone said. “We are at capacity with about 25 vendors and several featured local artists.”

Tassone said all winter market vendors or artists start as participants in the regular outdoor season.

“Since the winter farmers market is only open to interested vendors who participate in our regular outdoor season, there’s a lot of continuity in terms of familiar faces and products,” she said. “More of our farmers are growing produce year-round now in protected high tunnels, so they are able to offer a wider variety of vegetables now than we saw in the first year.”

There have been changes, however.

”Some vendors have been part of the Lenexa Farmers Market since the beginning in 2018, and others cycle out after a few years as their business evolves or life circumstances change,” Tassone said.

And there might be surprises in what is offered. For example, certain products — such as Kansas-grown pecans — may be more available during colder months after the fall harvest, Tassone said.

“For customers, the biggest difference is that the Winter Farmers Market takes place inside a building protected from the weather, and each monthly event lasts three hours instead of four,” she said. “It’s a nice change of scenery.”

What you’ll find at the Market

▪ Produce: winter squashes, carrots, onions, garlic, dried beans and legumes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, radishes, bell peppers, turnips, apples, herbs, cucumbers, microgreens, lettuce.

▪ Market staples: milled flours, baking mixes, soup mixes, honey, wine, pecans, oils, eggs, cheese, yogurt, butter, popcorn, jams, sauces, spice rubs, salsa, pickles, tea blends, freeze-dried candy/fruits, fresh pastas, pesto.

▪ Baked goods: cookies, cinnamon rolls, specialty croissants, breads and rolls, pies, granola.

▪ Locally raised meat: beef, chicken, pork, duck, lamb.

▪ Beverages: wine, kombucha.

▪ Wellness products: soaps and lotions, lip balms, CBD and CBG products including pain cream, elderberry syrup, fire cider.

▪ Pet-related items: dog treats, toys, bandanas.

▪ Extras: potted houseplants.

For more information, go here.

This story was originally published January 15, 2025 at 5:00 AM.