From Growing Food Connections’ partner, Healthy Communities Wyandotte: Kansas City, Kansas Ordinance Change Keeps Farmers Markets Flourishing
Wyandotte County is home to numerous farmers markets and the demand for their presence continues to grow. Farmers markets provide access to healthy and fresh food, support local producers and business, and provide a space for community engagement. The benefits and importance of producing and consuming food locally is quickly being recognized as a priority by community members and local government alike.
The KCK Farmers Market board recognized the need for a simpler and less costly process for establishing a farmer’s market in KCK and advocated strongly for a policy change to address these concerns.On December 10, 2015, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners passed an amendment that makes the establishment of farmers markets less costly and less confusing. “Farmers markets increase access to fresh, healthy food while providing support for local growers in Wyandotte County” states Ashley Jones Wisner, State Policy Manager for KC Healthy Kids and Chair of KCK Farmers Market Board. “We are pleased to see the Unified Government Board of Commissioners recognize their importance and pass an ordinance that ensures access to development, growth and success of farmers markets in Wyandotte County.”
For many districts, farmers markets are now permitted upon submitting an annual agreement with the Department of Urban Planning and Land Use. To complete this annual agreement, the farmers market need only renew basic information. There is no cost associated with this annual agreement. In addition, in districts where a special use permit is required to establish a farmers market, the special use permit fee has dramatically been reduced to $75.00. Below is a complete list of districts and what method they require for establishing a farmers market:
| Districts Requiring Special Use Permits | Districts Requiring Annual Agreements |
| R | A-G |
| R-1 | C-1 |
| R-1 (B) | C-D |
| R-2 | C-2 |
| R-2 (B) | C-3 |
| R-3 | M-1 |
| R-4 | M-2 |
| R-5 | M-3 |
| R-6 | TND |
| R-M | |
| C-0 |
See here for the full ordinance change. See here for more information on districts.
These changes are another step towards reducing regulatory barriers to local, healthy food access. Farmers markets are now easier than ever to establish in Wyandotte County, so start planning for 2016!