The Topeka Farmers Market gathers every Saturday morning from May through October along South Kansas Avenue in downtown Topeka, the capital city of Kansas. Running from 7:30am to noon, the market is a fixture of the local food community and offers residents and visitors a direct connection to the agricultural output of Shawnee County and broader northeastern Kansas farming communities. The market's vendor mix leans toward straightforward, high-quality farm produce with a distinctive regional character. Local vegetables dominate the peak summer months, with sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, and squash filling stalls from June through August. A notable feature of the Topeka market is its selection of Amish-baked goods, produced by Old Order Amish farming communities from the surrounding Kansas countryside. These typically include handmade pies, cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, and seasonal fruit breads, all made without commercial preservatives. The Amish vendor stalls are among the most popular at the market and often sell out before 10am. Raw honey from local Topeka-area beekeepers is a consistent offering, ranging from light clover honey to darker wildflower varieties harvested from prairie blooms across Shawnee County. Small-batch salsa and hot sauce makers are also a market staple, with many vendors offering samples to help shoppers compare heat levels and flavor profiles. In late summer, the market becomes particularly vibrant as fresh-cut Kansas sunflowers arrive in abundance and are sold by the bunch. Payment at most stalls accepts both cash and debit or credit cards. Kansas law exempts fresh, unprocessed agricultural produce from sales tax, making the market a cost-effective source for seasonal vegetables. Processed foods, baked goods, and non-food craft items carry standard Kansas sales tax. The market layout runs along Kansas Avenue with stalls arranged on both sides, making it easy to walk the full length in a single pass. The mood is neighborly and relaxed, reflecting the community-focused character of the state capital, and the downtown location on South Kansas Avenue places the market within easy walking distance of other Topeka attractions.
Location
915 S Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66612
39.0531, -95.6789 View on map
Highlights
- Amish-baked goods from rural Kansas communities including handmade pies, cinnamon rolls, and seasonal fruit breads
- Fresh-cut Kansas sunflowers sold by the bunch during late summer, a signature seasonal attraction
- Local honey ranging from light clover to dark wildflower varietals from Shawnee County beekeepers
- Small-batch salsas and hot sauces with sampling available from local makers
- Direct-from-farm seasonal vegetables with no sales tax on fresh agricultural produce under Kansas law
Tips for visiting
- Arrive by 7:30am to secure Amish baked goods, which regularly sell out well before 10am on busy Saturdays
- Late August to mid-September is peak sunflower season; arrive early for the best bunch selection
- Bring cash for Amish vendors, who generally do not accept cards; other stalls typically take both
- The market runs through October, making autumn root vegetables and winter squash a late-season highlight
- Parking is available along South Kansas Avenue and in nearby downtown Topeka lots, typically free on weekends
Frequently asked questions
When is the Topeka Farmers Market open?
The market operates Saturdays from 7:30am to noon, May through October, on South Kansas Avenue in downtown Topeka.
Are Amish vendors present at the Topeka Farmers Market?
Yes, Old Order Amish bakers from surrounding Kansas farming communities are regular vendors, selling handmade pies, breads, and pastries. These stalls are very popular and often sell out before 10am.
Can visitors buy sunflowers at the Topeka Farmers Market?
Fresh-cut Kansas sunflowers are available by the bunch from late July through September, making them one of the market's most distinctive seasonal offerings.
Do vendors accept credit cards at the Topeka Farmers Market?
Most vendors accept both cash and card. Amish vendors typically prefer or require cash only, so carrying bills is advisable for shoppers who want baked goods.
Is there sales tax on produce at the Topeka Farmers Market?
Fresh, unprocessed agricultural produce is exempt from Kansas sales tax. Processed foods, baked goods, and non-food items carry standard state and local sales tax.