July brings fireworks, BBQs and the best seasonal vegetables and fruits at Kansas City’s local farmers markets. People wait with great anticipation for their first taste of a vine-ripened, fresh-picked, juicy tomato and to munch on sweet corn harvested that morning. Kansas City’s urban and local farmers work hard to bring our city fresh, healthy and delicious produce to nourish our families.

There are so many reasons to shop locally:

• Locally grown food tastes better
• Local produce is better for you because it is fresher
• Local food supports local families and our local economy
• Local food creates a clean environment
• Local food builds community

Cultivate Kansas City encourages residents to get out to their neighborhood farmers markets for a taste of all that our local farmers have to offer. Below is a list of farmers markets in the Kansas City metro area that offer matching dollars for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) spent on local produce. Most matching funds are provided through the Beans&Greens program, which will double SNAP up to $25 each week. You can find an area farmers market every day of the week.

Monday:

• KCK Farmers Market at Juniper Gardens, 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., 3rd St. & Richmond Ave., Kansas City, Kan.

Tuesday:

• KCK Farmers Market at Catholic Charities, 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
• Hartman Heritage, 3 p.m.– 7 p.m., 20000 Jackson Dr., Independence, Mo.

Wednesday:

• KCK Farmers Market at Strawberry Hill, 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., 6th St. & Tauromee Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
• Overland Park Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., 7950 Marty, Overland Park, Kan.
• Gladstone, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., 7117 N Prospect Ave., Gladstone, Mo.
• Harvest Learning Center, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., 3400 Woodland Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
• Independence Farmers Market, 5 a.m. – 1 p.m., Truman Rd. & Liberty, Independence, Mo.

Thursday:

• Harvest Learning Center, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., 3400 Woodland Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
• La Chalupa Market at Mattie Rhodes, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., 148 North Topping Ave., Kansas City, Mo.

Friday:

• BADSEED Farmers’ Market, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., 1909 McGee St., Kansas City, Mo.
• Harvest Learning Center, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., 3400 Woodland Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
• Ivanhoe Small Growers Farmers’ Market, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., 3700 Woodland Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
• North Kansas City Farmers Market, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Armour Rd. & Howell St., North Kansas City, Mo.

Saturday:

• Overland Park Farmers Market, 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., 7950 Marty, Overland Park, Kan.
• Brookside Farmers Market, 8 a.m. – 1p.m., 63rd St. & Wornall Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
• City Market, 6 a.m. – 3 p.m., 20 E. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.
• Gladstone, 7 a.m. – 12 p.m., 7117 N Prospect Ave., Gladstone, Mo.
• Harvest Learning Center, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., 3400 Woodland Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
• Troostwood Youth Garden and Market, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 52nd & Paseo, Kansas
• Independence Farmers Market, 5 a.m. – 1 p.m., Truman Rd. & Liberty, Independence, Mo.
• Historic Liberty Farmers Market, 7 a.m. – 12 p.m., 111 N Water St., Liberty, Mo.

Sunday:

• City Market, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., 20 E. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.
• Hartman Heritage, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 20000 Jackson Dr., Independence, Mo.
• Rosedale Farmers Market, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., 4020 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, Kan.

Happy eating!