Prairieland Market: Feeding the Salina Community
There’s something special about local grocery stores. Our neighbors put in a lot of effort — and heart! — to establish and run these community lifelines. But what if there wasn’t a store around the corner or a farmers market offering locally grown goodies? The people of Salina faced this question back in 1978 and the result was a local institution that endures to this day.
At the time, a few health-conscious neighbors got together and decided they wanted better access to local and organic goods. As a testament to just how powerful strong-willed community members can be, they started a buying club and pooled their money to purchase locally grown groceries in bulk.
What started as a small group eventually expanded into a whole store, and Prairieland Food Co-op was born. The retail store offered local and organic products long before organic foods were available mainstream and became a trusted shopping source for the community.
Today, the same store from 1978 is still providing fresh goods to the people of Salina and beyond, but now they go by a different name: Prairieland Market. Although the name has changed, the mission of connecting customers with local food remains the same.
According to Executive Director Vickee Spicer, there’s a simple explanation for the longevity.
“The roots of this organization go back for many years. There’s a reason this has continued: We have a strong community who wants access to healthy, nutritious foods and to support our local farmers,” she said.
A local grocery store with everything under the Kansas sun — like eggs, cheese, produce, honey, meat, fully prepared meals and more — Prairieland Market brings fresh food to the area. The store also offers a weekly community supported agriculture (CSA) subscription service, where customers can choose from a small (five to eight items) or full (eight to 11 items) produce basket to be picked up weekly or bi-weekly.
“With initiatives like our subscription service, we provide a direct connection to local farmers, giving access to fresh local foods on a regular basis, not just seasonally. It’s a great way to bond with the community — from the farmers you buy from to the friends and neighbors you see at the store,” Vickee said.
Connection is a key principle of Prairieland Market’s mission. Beyond providing groceries and ready-to-eat meals, they care about the community’s needs, educate customers about their food and enhance their confidence in food preparation through events and a strong online presence.
To help with these goals, Prairieland Market is currently transitioning to become a nonprofit 501(c)3.
“As we transition to a nonprofit organization, we are evaluating our charitable purpose with a committee of community members who want the organization to succeed. We’re researching what the Salina area needs and how we can best serve the people here,” Vickee said.
Understanding the importance of location, a new storefront is also part of Prairieland Market’s future.
“There are plans to move to Santa Fe, the main street of downtown Salina, to take advantage of the recent renaissance of the downtown area. In doing so, we hope to increase access for our local community as well as for visitors,” Vickee said.
Working with others to navigate what’s to come is one reason Vickee is so passionate about the job.
“This amazing group of people and the vision for the future really lights my fire!” she said.
Throughout the growth and changes to the organization, one thing will be sure to stay the same: Prairieland Market will feed the spirits and stomachs of Salina with local groceries.
Visit Prairieland Market at their current address:
305 E Walnut St.
Salina, KS 67401
Learn more about Prairieland Market at their website.
