DHDC
American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition recently announced the winners of the 15th annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration, a national event honoring the role of farmers markets.
The Downtown Hays Market was announced as the Best Market in Kansas in September 2023 following a public campaign. Markets receiving the most public votes are declared the winners in each state and region.
This season marked the 10th anniversary of the Downtown Hays Market.
The first season in 2013 consisted of a few pop-up tents on the west side of 10th and Main Street. This year, the market hosted more than 60 registered vendors and welcomed hundreds of customers, including many regulars every week.
“It feels like a big family gathering under the pavilion … it’s a great place to be on Saturday mornings!” said Julie Rider, executive director of the Downtown Hays Development Corp.
Opening Memorial Day weekend and running through October at the downtown pavilion in the Union Pacific Plaza, the market ensures the community has access to fresh, nutritious food produced by local farmers and artisans. As a site that accepts Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and offers a Double Up Food Bucks match to our community, the market is a valuable resource to families.
In addition to fresh food produce vendors, the market regularly features local musicians, live plants and fresh cut flowers, educational components, and a variety of craft vendors. One perk of the market is complimentary coffee provided by Breathe Coffee House, which is sponsored by the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau.
As a state winner, the Downtown Hays Market will receive $100 for marketing or other needs that help expand the market’s reach and impact and are provided with a custom America’s Farmers Market Celebration winner’s badge to display on various platforms.
Learn more about the Downtown Hays Market at www.downtownhays.com/downtown-hays-market.