wellness
Five Seasonal Recipes Using Local Produce Available Now
Wichita cooks can pull together fresh meals this week from corn, tomatoes and berries sold at neighborhood stands.
How we reported this
Stands across Wichita hold sweet corn at 50 cents an ear and tomatoes at $2.99 a pound on July 8, 2026, ready for five quick recipes built only from items grown within 30 miles.
The summer harvest hits full stride in Sedgwick County right now, giving residents a short window to eat produce at peak flavor and nutrient levels before heat waves push prices higher later in the month.
The Saturday market at 8th and Waco fills tables with green beans and zucchini from farms along the Arkansas River, while the Healthy Wichita program run out of the city health department office on South Broadway runs free tasting events every Wednesday afternoon to show how to prepare the same items at home.
Market records show 1,200 shoppers passed through the 8th and Waco site on the first Saturday in July, up 18 percent from the same date last year, according to Sedgwick County extension tallies released June 30.
Five recipes built for this week’s haul
Grilled corn gets brushed with a little local honey and chili powder then charred over a backyard grill for eight minutes. Tomato and basil salad uses two pounds of sliced tomatoes tossed with torn basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt, served at room temperature. Zucchini ribbons shaved thin on a mandoline and dressed with lemon juice make a no-cook side that keeps the kitchen cool. Watermelon cubes mixed with crumbled feta and mint leaves create a sweet-savory plate that uses one small melon from the same stand. A simple berry parfait layers fresh blackberries and raspberries with plain yogurt in a glass for an easy breakfast or snack.
Where to start this weekend
Shoppers can head to the 8th and Waco market before 10 a.m. Saturday to beat the heat, then stop by the city health department tasting table on Broadway the following Wednesday for printed cards with exact measurements for each dish. Anyone unsure about substitutions can ask the extension agents on site or call the Sedgwick County hotline listed on the Healthy Wichita site.