When you step into the Overland Park Farmers’ Market, you immediately feel it: the energy, the warmth, the heartbeat of a community waking up together. It's not just the vibrant stalls brimming with fresh produce, baked goods, and flowers, or the scent of roasted coffee and fresh herbs in the air. It's the neighbors catching up, the hugs exchanged between vendors and customers, the children laughing. It isn’t just a market, it’s a second home to many.
“The magic of OPFM is in its heartbeat,” the market’s manager, Kristina Stanley, shares. “It’s where connection is tangible, where you feel the love in the air.” Vendors know customers by name, artisans proudly share their crafts, and shoppers don’t just come for the goods; they come for the people behind them. It's a joyful, rooted experience that feels as if the community itself is stitched into every conversation and transaction.
At the heart of OPFM is the belief that it's about connection, not just commerce. It's a place where loyalty and trust matter more than price tags. “People look out for each other, celebrate milestones, and lift each other up during hard times," Kristina explains. “It’s a place where everyone belongs—whether you’re a longtime vendor or a teenager grabbing a smoothie and flowers for Instagram.”
The relationships extend beyond customer and vendor, too. Collaboration between vendors is not just encouraged, it’s a tradition. From teaming up on product pairings to covering each other’s booths during emergencies, vendors at OPFM lift each other up. Memorable partnerships like that of Hemme Brothers Creamery and Zen Donkey Farm show how vendors coexist and thrive by working together. It’s a living example of the OPFM philosophy: success is measured by connection as much as by sales.
Moments like when Five Mile Farms' family members intentionally sat with new vendors during a social event—bridging language barriers and building community—show that OPFM’s culture of inclusion doesn’t happen by accident. "Culture is what we allow, create, and refuse to allow," Kristina says. "It’s about daily, intentional actions rooted in respect, positivity, and collaboration."
This intentionality is what has carried OPFM through major changes. In just the past six years, the market has adapted to five layouts across three locations. Yet the community has stayed strong—and even grown. Shoppers continue to show up, week after week, not because of convenience, but because of trust. They know that wherever the market goes, the spirit of OPFM goes with it: quality products, friendly faces, and an experience rooted in authenticity.
Generations of families have made OPFM part of their traditions. “Seeing grandparents bring their grandchildren to the same vendors they visited years ago shows that we’re part of people’s lives in a really meaningful way,” Kristina says. "It's a living legacy—a reminder that even as the world changes, the market remains a place of grounding, celebration, and trust."
What makes OPFM stand apart from other markets in the area is its deep commitment to its core values. Vendors are selected not just for the quality of their goods, but for their passion, professionalism, and alignment with the market's philosophy. Every product is curated with care, sustainability and stewardship are woven into every decision, and inclusivity is a daily practice, not just a slogan.
Support from the City of Overland Park plays a vital role as well. With 14 out of 15 city departments involved in supporting the market’s success—and major projects like the $34 million Clock Tower Landing Improvement Project underway—OPFM is poised to continue flourishing as a centerpiece of community life.
Looking ahead, the goal is not just growth for growth’s sake, but intentional evolution. The manager envisions a future where OPFM continues strengthening community ties, fostering education about local food, supporting new businesses, and embracing innovation without losing the authenticity that has made it a community cornerstone for generations.
“Culture doesn’t happen by accident," they emphasize again. "It happens because we show up for each other—vendors, staff, customers—and build something better together."
At OPFM, the heartbeat of the community doesn’t just beat on Saturday mornings. It beats in every handshake, every shared recipe, every act of encouragement—and it promises to keep beating, stronger and louder, for generations to come.