Overland Park Farmers’ Market suspends vendor over antisemitic social media posts

Olathe-based Pepper Cave, owned by Justin Bale, was suspended indefinitely in apparent response to complaints about Bale’s social media activity, which in recent days has been filled with blatant antisemitic invective. Bale responded to the suspension by praising Hitler.
Content warning: This story includes hate speech and disturbing language.

The Overland Park Farmers’ Market has suspended a first-year vendor after his antisemitic and hate-filled social media posts emerged.

An Overland Park spokesperson confirmed in an email to the Post that Olathe-based Pepper Cave, owned by Justin Bale, was suspended indefinitely Wednesday apparently in response to complaints the city received about Bale’s social media activity, which in recent days has been filled with blatant antisemitic invective.

“These posts do not reflect the City’s or the Overland Park Farmers’ Market’s values,” city spokesperson Meg Ralph wrote to the Post. “In fact, this content directly contradicts our strategic goal of being a welcoming and inclusive community and organization.”