Taking your kids to the farmers market is an excellent way to educate them about nutrition, support local farmers, and have a great time as a family. Not only can you find fresh produce, but also gourmet garlic, wine, breads, and meat from grass-fed animals. Plus, many markets offer special programs for children and host events like Halloween parties. Shopping at a farmers market gives children an appreciation for their meals and helps them understand what local food is.
It also keeps money in your community and provides real-life experiences that help kids grow socially, academically, and personally. As they visit the market regularly, they will learn that fruits and vegetables are seasonal and not available all year round like in the supermarket. If your children participate in sports, you can use the farmers market to teach them why nutrients make them better athletes. Even if they don't play sports, they can understand that real foods are full of vitamins and minerals that make them stronger, smarter and healthier. The Cambridge Central Square Farmers Market is a great place to start.
It runs from mid-May to November on Mondays and offers a variety of products from local farmers and suppliers. The last market of the year often doubles as a Halloween party for the whole family. With the help of the Farmers Market Coalition, many other markets are creating their own programs focused on children. If you're in Washington, DC this week, be sure to visit the USDA Farmers Market as part of the celebration of National Farmer Market Week. Taking your kids to the farmers market is an enjoyable way to teach them about nutrition and support local farmers. So why should you take your kids to the farmers market? Here are some of the benefits:
- Nutrition Education: Shopping at a farmers market gives children a sense of appreciation for their meals and helps them understand what local food is.
- Support Local Farmers: Shopping at a farmers market keeps money in your community and provides real-life experiences that help kids grow socially, academically, and personally.
- Seasonal Eating: As they visit the market regularly, they will learn that fruits and vegetables are seasonal and not available all year round like in the supermarket.
- Sports Performance: If your children compete in sports, you can use the farmers market to teach them why nutrients make them better athletes.
- Health Benefits: Even if they don't play sports, they can understand that real foods are full of vitamins and minerals that make them stronger, smarter and healthier.
And if you're in Washington DC this week, be sure to visit the USDA Farmers Market as part of National Farmer Market Week.
