Upward Spirals Garlic Scapes Pizza, created (and eaten) by Michelle Gundy with products from Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market. by llc

Nan Renbarger has been baking bread since 1974, first for the Cornucopia Restaurant and later for the buying club that eventually became The Community Mercantile. Now Nan and her daughter, Emma Martin, bake bread for Lawrence area farmers markets and have been for the past three years. Known best for their potato bread, peace paws and pizza crusts, Upward Spirals Bake Goods provides a diverse selection of bakery products at both the Saturday and Tuesday Lawrence Downtown Markets and the Thursday Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market. The name Upward Spirals was chosen not only as a reflection of the spiraling appearance of several of their products, but also as a personal mission to counter the energy of the often referenced “downward” spiral we are consistently urged to believe we are in. Nan’s spiral theme bake goods offer variety and taste to any market goers’ bag. Upward Spirals uses mostly Kansas wheat flour from Heartland Mills in Wichita County and Hudson Mills in Stafford County. Their honey comes from Anthony’s Beehive in Baldwin. The herbs, vegetables, and potatoes used in their bread come from Nan’s garden, Avery’s Produce, Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market, and Lawrence Farmers Market. Olive oil and Kosher salt help to round out the flavor of their breads.

Upward Spirals Bake Goods Booth offers a wide variety of fresh baked bread products at Cottin's Hardware Farmes Market, Thursdays, from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm. by llc

Several market patrons make a habit of picking up a pizza crust, or two, each week from Nan and use it as a basis for a delectable dinner, sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. As July nears and area gardens virtually explode with fresh produce, now is the time to consider making a healthy and delicious pizza using an Upward Spiral crust and fresh market produce.

Upward Spirals Whole Wheat Pizza Crust topped with Irick Tomatoes, New Boston Coop Olive Oil, Avery's Produce Garlic, and MAD Farm Basil, all available at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market. Created and eaten by Gillian Leuellen. by llc

When Free State Brewing Company decided to join the fun at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market, they made a commitment to explore food parings with other market vendors. Their first paring came quickly as they discovered the nuances of Mr. Bacon BBQ’s smoked garlic blended wonderfully with their Oatmeal Stout. Free State Oatmeal Stout can also be found in bake goods offered by Backdoor Bakery and, not to undermine their other delicious beers, Oatmeal Stout has made yet another successful paring at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market. Free State Brewing and Iwig Dairy join together to offer up a unique and wonderful summer afternoon treat for the over twenty-one crowd, an Oatmeal Stout Iwig Ice Cream Float. Not completely Free State’s original idea, oatmeal stout floats are often mentioned during courses at brewer’s schools across the globe and several prominent websites list recipes for the less-than-mainstream delight. Collin Billau, Iwig Dairy market aficionado, recommends Iwig Dairy Vanilla and Chocolate Fudge Chuck Ice Cream, for the perfect blend of flavors. Seven dollars will get you one bottle of stout and two ice creams, just enough to make two deliciously satisfying Oatmeal Stout Iwig Ice Cream floats! Try one this Thursday at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market, you won’t be disappointed!

Free State Oatmeal Stout and Iwig Dairy Vanilla with Fudge Chunks Ice Cream Float at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market.... Mmmm Good! by llc

If market fresh pizza and oatmeal stout floats are not your cup of tea, Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market has plenty more options to satisfy your needs. Mr. Bacon BBQ returns this week, June 30, with his usual array of ready to eat BBQ, including his increasingly famous pig pie or chick pie, not to mention his mouth watering pulled pork sandwiches. Mellowfields Urban Farm will offer their usual selection of fresh picked farm produce along with their ever satisfying Hibiscus Ice Tea. Regular market vendors will also offer up a wide variety of produce and bake goods, as summer heat and spring rains do their part to increase the bounty across county lines. This week’s musical guest will be Vegetable – a band whose musical interpretations demonstrate delectable possibilities of the perfect medley. Vegetable's renderings are heavily influence by rich top-soil, direct sunlight, and plenty of water. Confused? You won’t be after an afternoon trip this Thursday, June 30, to Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market, a food focused, community oriented, family affair!

Patrons Aaron Hicks, Sindra Schueler, Robyn Lee and Mick Cottin enjoy the diversity and ambiance at Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market, Thursdays from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm. by llc

Cottin's Hardware Farmers Market runs every Thursday, from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm, through October. It is located in the back parking lot of Cottin's Hardware & Rental at 1832 Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, KS.