08/29/2026
🌱🍑 WHY IS PRODUCE SO HARD TO FIND THIS YEAR? 🍅🌽
We’ve been getting questions about why some fruits, vegetables and other crops are harder to find this year — and the answer is Mother Nature has really put Kansas growers through it.
Kansas agriculture has been dealing with a combination of drought, extreme heat, inconsistent rainfall and high evaporation. Some areas can get a big rain one week and still have very dry soil shortly afterward. In fact, drought conditions have continued to affect parts of Kansas this summer, with soil moisture and water supplies remaining a concern.
🌾 Dryland crops are especially vulnerable.
Dryland farmers don't have irrigation to fall back on when Mother Nature doesn't provide enough moisture. When crops don't get enough water at the right stage of growth, plants become stressed, yields can drop, and sometimes crops simply don't produce what they normally would.
🍑 Fruit crops have their own challenges.
Fruit trees need moisture at critical times for flowering, fruit set and fruit development. Heat and drought stress can mean fewer fruits, smaller fruit, damaged fruit or crops that never develop properly. And once a crop is lost, you can't just make more overnight — those plants have to go through an entire growing cycle again.
🌽 And here's something important to remember:
A farmer can do everything right — plant at the right time, fertilize, spray, cultivate and care for the crop — and still lose production because you can't control the weather.
Kansas farmers and growers have been working with some incredibly challenging conditions this year. The USDA has specifically acknowledged that drought has significantly impacted Kansas crops, land and water supplies.
So if you notice that your favorite peaches, melons, tomatoes, sweet corn or other produce is more expensive, smaller, harder to find or simply not available this year, please remember:
❤️ It isn't because our farmers don't want to grow it.
❤️ It isn't because they aren't working hard enough.
❤️ Sometimes Mother Nature simply wins.
When you buy from a local farmer, you're supporting someone who takes a tremendous risk every single growing season.
So please be patient with our Kansas growers this year. 🌱❤️
Support local farmers when you can. Every purchase matters — especially in a tough growing year.
