A new local partnership will see the Emporia Farmer’s Market possibly expanding throughout Lyon County this year.
Healthier Lyon County and the Emporia Farmer’s Market are teaming up to expand into rural Lyon County. The partnership will specifically focus on north and south Lyon County and establish physical locations to help bring in new vendors from across the area.
Farmer’s Market Director Jessica Hopkins says the expansion will benefit not only local vendors but will also address several issues in local communities.
Hopkins adds, the vendor format, including fees and scheduling, will not change due to the expansion. She explains an additional benefit of being a vendor is the Emporia Farmer’s Market is the only market in Kansas which is able to collect and remit sales tax on behalf of vendors.
This provides a major benefit specifically to smaller producers as they do not have to go through registering for a tax ID or paying the monthly sales tax fees that go along with selling at markets. Hopkins says there will be different tax points for each different community, however, the market would take care of it.
While the expansion is still in the works, the market is currently in the midst of its annual indoor market season. This is the third year of indoor markets at Water’s True Value and 10th indoor season overall. The indoor markets take place every first and third Saturday of the month from 10:30 am to noon.
Hopkins explains what shoppers can expect to see at indoor markets this time of year.
The outdoor market season in the parking lot located at 7th and Merchant is set to begin Saturday, May 4th. Weekly evening outdoor markets will begin in June.
For more information on the Emporia Farmer’s Market or to become a vendor visit their website at emporiafarmersmarket.org or call 343-6455.
