Our 2026 Sustainable Supper
This year’s chefs swapped their indoor kitchens for cooking by sunset! Here, Chef Will Soo from Lucky Seb’s grills tofu and pork belly.
Photos taken by Emily Henry Photography
T.K. Peterson’s farmers cheese tartine with saffron tomato preserves
Guests moved from station to station to receive their dishes as part of the progressive dinner
Market vendors Tad and Margaret Kramar from Hidden Hollow Farm
The Compostable Scraps kicked off the night with bluegrass
Donors bid on items at our Live Auction, including a mixology class at John Brown Underground, one-of-a-kind artwork by local artist Alicia Kelly, a deluxe visit to Tanganyika Wildlife Park, and a lunch with Lawrence celebrity Stan Herd.
A Look Back on the 2026 Sustainable Supper
When you think of what’s worth celebrating, what comes to mind? For us, it’s the fleeting transition from summer to fall in Kansas; time spent with new and longtime friends; and delicious food and drink. Our 2026 Sustainable Supper brought all of these special things together for the cause of sustaining the next 50 years of the Lawrence Farmers Market.
Hosted for the second year in a row at Irvine’s Just Beyond Paradise Winery, the Sustainable Supper featured the talents of six Lawrence chefs, sponsored by Bates Co., in a convivial progressive dinner. At their own pace, attendees tried thoughtfully crafted dishes by T.K. Peterson, Will Soo, Jake Moffitt, Ryan Young, Finnegan Huerter, and Louis Wigen-Toccalino. Laughter and music (by local musical groups The Compostable Scraps and Freedom Sound Collective) flourished as attendees visited with one another and enjoyed a signature cocktail, wine provided by Irvine’s, and N/A beverage pairings from their favorite Market vendors. Attention to detail was evident from top to bottom: even the plates and cutlery were composted at the end of the night by KC Compost Collective!
Punctuated by messages of gratitude from Market staff, board members, and local partners, the evening culminated in the presentation of a short documentary created by vendor board member Michael Wunsch. Michael brought together Market vendors Hidden Hollow Farm, Taste of the Land, and Wild Alive, chefs, and other supporters to share about the true meaning of sustainability embodied in the Lawrence Farmers Market.
The evening was capped by a live auction - an extension of the silent auction that ran for two weeks prior to the event. Both auctions showcased items and experiences from Lawrence Farmers Market vendors and other local businesses curated by the Market staff and board. Emily Lysen, Director of Development, gave guests a behind-the-scenes look into some Market expenses during the paddle raise, from the cost of operating a single Market day to the high volume of cups needed to supply our free water station during the summer.
We are so grateful to everyone who made the 2026 Sustainable Supper a huge success. Whether you donated something from your business, bid on an auction item, gathered with us for the event, or are a regular Market attendee, YOU make the Lawrence Farmers Market possible with your support. We can’t wait to see you next year!
As always, join us every Saturday through November 21st from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 824 New Hampshire St in Downtown Lawrence, KS.
