Month: October 2023

A walk through the Lawrence Farmers’ Market in late summer provides a feast for the senses – aroma of just-picked tomatoes, a rainbow of carrots, fresh baked products to taste, handmade crafts to touch and the sounds of local musicians. But this season you might have also noticed a new opportunity for younger visitors. Play With Your Food was a new children’s program offered at the Lawrence Farmers’ Market twice a month. It focused on providing three experiential learning activities – Explore, Learn, and Taste. “Combined, these activities are designed to get children excited about the farmers’ market, learn how their food grows and gets to their table at home, and have an opportunity to taste a new fruit or vegetable,” according to Emily Brinkman, Play With Your Food Program Coordinator.

Creating a family-friendly farmers’ market environment is important to Emily Lysen, Director of Development for the Lawrence Farmers’ Market. “We really want children to enjoy visiting the market and hope it’s something families look forward to every week.” The mission of the Lawrence Farmers’ Market is to provide children and adults with access to locally grown foods and farm products. For families receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, the market offers Double Up Food Bucks – up to $25 of SNAP benefits are matched, so families can purchase more fruits, vegetables, meat and eggs.

Emily Brinkman created the Play With Your Food program as part of her Master of Public Health coursework through the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She worked in partnership with Emily Lysen, Director of Development for the Lawrence Farmers’ Market, and Kaitlyn Peine, Community Health and Wellness Agent for K-State Research and Extension Douglas County. Funding for the program was provided by a Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant through LiveWell Douglas County.

A new Lawrence Loop Map is available. Descriptions were developed to help trail users enjoy their experience on the Lawrence Loop by identifying sections of the Loop that will suit their interests and abilities. Trail lengths are approximate.

Red dots on the map identify the most accessible sections because of factors like easy access to parking and trail slopes.

To ensure your safety on the Lawrence Loop (or any trail) we recommend you use the trail with a friend, be aware of your surroundings, carry water, and exercise judgement when navigating the terrain.

Keep it safe, share the trail, and most of all, enjoy the Loop!

On December 13th the Lawrence City Commission voted in favor of an ordinance which will improve equal access to housing. The ordinance will add protections from housing discrimination based on a person’s source of income and status as a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking.

These specific recommendations provide an opportunity to immediately decrease barriers to housing. These protections will improve outcomes for individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness or housing stress.

This vote comes after two years of research and advocacy by the LiveWell Douglas County Sexual Violence Prevention Work Group and its partners.

Before the review by the City Commission, the Sexual Violence Prevention Work Group presented their housing policy research to stakeholders including the Affordable Housing Advisory Board and the Human Relations Commission.

The commission also considered other changes to housing policy informed by the Sexual Violence Prevention Work Group’s advocacy. These policy changes are set for review later in the year.