The Kansas City Food Circle has been kicking off the spring growing and farmer’s market for 15 years with an “eat local” expo. This year, with a growing interest in organic foods, the expo at Penn Valley Community College on Saturday is expected to draw a record crowd.Photo courtesy Kansas City Food Circle.
The Kansas City Food Circle has been doing its annual Eat Local and Organic expo for 15 years and this year’s turnout is expected to be bigger than ever.
The expo kicks off the local growing and farmer’s market season each year. Visitors can buy local, organic produce; free-range meat, eggs and dairy; and vegetable seedlings for home gardening. This year’s Kansas City event is Saturday, April 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Penn Valley Community College, 3201 Southwest Trafficway.
“The Expos are also a great place to learn more about and sign up for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), where you can buy your food directly from farmers,” according to a press release.
The event started in 1999 as part of a food system conference co-sponsored by the Sierra Club. Only 10 farmers and 100 participants were there for the first exhibition, but the event has been growing every year, especially as interest in organic food has increased.
The expo is now held in two locations each year. Last weekend, the Johnson County expo attracted about 1500 people. Saturday’s event at Penn Valley Community College, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., is expected to draw a crowd as well.
Highlights
- The Kansas City Food Circle will be handing out free copies of the 2013 KC Food Circle Directory of Local Organic and Free Range Food Producers, which provides detailed information on KCFC member farmers and area organic farmers markets.
- Expo attendees may also join the KC Food Circle and receive a 2013 Eat Local (& Organic!) Dining Card which provides a one-time 10 percent discount on 14 area restaurants that source their food locally, organically, and free-range.
- The Smokin’ Fresh Streetside BBQ food truck will be serving organic BBQ in the parking lots.
- 10-11 a.m.: “Real Food Your Kids Will Love” workshop presented by Beth Bader, local author of The Cleaner Plate Club. Beth will be giving tips on eating seasonally and locally, especially for families with a busy schedule.
- 11:30 to 12:30.: “Small Scale Aquaponics” led by Maurice Person of Urban Harvest KC will teach attendees how to start a home aquaponics system and will cover indoor composting with red wigglers, de-chlorinating and conserving water.
Details
Directory of Local Organic and Free Range Food Producers
Eat Local and Organic Expo
- Saturday, April 6, 2013, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
- Penn Valley Community College, 3201 Southwest Trafficway
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