Kansas has NOT passed new regulations for farmers markets!

Several news outlets have reported in error that Kansas has established a new regulation regarding the use of Kansas grown whole-wheat flour at farmers markets.

There is no such regulation.

The Capitol Midweek Farmers Market has policies that place restrictions on the products sold at the market. The rule that is being referenced in news stories is:

If baked and/or processed goods are included in products for sale by licensed vendors, all main ingredients must be grown and processed in Kansas. All baked and/or processed foods including: breads, scones, cookies, cakes, cinnamon rolls, fruit pies, must be made using with whole wheat flour from Kansas. 

There you have it!

Here is the article that best covers the issue:

http://cjonline.com/news/2011-05-31/state-dunks-doughnuts?page=1

I am not sure how ALL of the KC news outlets screwed that facts up so badly, but it appears they all are using the Associated Press info.

Interested in the background of this issue?

Kansas Department of Health and the Environment teamed up with Kansas Department of Commerce-Ag Marketing Division to launch a weekday farmers market in downtown Topeka. Initial funding came through a Capitol City Wellness grant and the market's mission is:

to increase access to fresh, locally grown, high-quality produce and to increase physical activity by providing a walking destination for the 35,000 employees working in downtown Topeka,

The market has always limited baked goods and required the use of whole-wheat flour to better align with nutrition recommendations. The Kansas grown specification is, I believe, new this year.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the required use of Kansas products for major ingredients in baked goods at the Capitol Midweek Farmers Market. The market also requires that 100% of produce be Kansas grown (75% by the vendor, 25% can be resale). Is it extreme to require all market participants to utilize Kansas grown product?