The Emporia Farmers Market had a special visitor Wednesday evening, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger.
Praeger is traveling across northeast Kansas to visit farmers markets to promote healthy living and provide information on the Insurance Commissioners office, she said. Praeger also handed out white bags with information in them about the office.
Taking a break from handing out bags and talking to patrons, Praeger said she thought the idea would be fun and a great opportunity to promote healthy eating and healthy living and also to encourage people to buy local.
“It’s a win-win situation,” she said.
In an earlier press release, Praeger said “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. ... A great way to reduce health care costs is to develop lifelong health habits and by shopping at your area’s farmers market you are choosing to buy locally produced foods from your friend and neighbors.”
At the market on Wednesday, Praeger added that she is doing her bit to add to the local economies she visits by buying at the market. She can’t resist the fresh produce, she said.
Praeger has been to markets in Lawrence, Atchison, Topeka, Overland Park and Emporia, said Bob Hanson, public information office for the Kansas Insurance Department. He said it gives the office another opportunity to talk to the public and get information. Praeger agreed, stating that she has been given the opportunity to hear people’s concerns and ask specific questions of the public. Many people have asked Praeger about continuing education programs and also about health care and the availability of health insurance. Praeger said the office’s job is to be an advocate for consumers.
“Health insurance is expensive,” she said at the market on Wednesday. “If you’re not healthy and you have to buy it alone it can be almost impossible.
A number of events are planned Saturday at the Emporia Farmers Market. Beginning at 8 a.m. the Homegrown Celebration will be held at the market. At 9 a.m. there will be watermelon rolling for kids under 4. At 9:20 a.m. kids 5 through 7 will take their turn at watermelon-seed spitting. At 9:45 a.m. there will be a watermelon-eating contest for 8 to 10 year olds. There will be prizes, music, refreshments and balloons.
In addition, there will be a Murphy’s Menu cook-off for coffee cakes. Bring your entry to the market kiosk between 7:45 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Saturday. Visitors at the market will sample entries and vote for their favorite dish. The winner will get a gift bag of culinary gifts from Country Marts and Price Chopper and be featured on the next Home Cooking page of the Emporia Gazette.