Farmers' Markets: Go With the Kids

on May 6, 2009 at 3:11 PM

It's often recommended that the best way to deal with kids who are picky eaters is to get them involved in the rituals of shopping for food, cooking, and eating.

Now that the growing season is upon us, what better way to get kids involved and excited about food than to go on a family outing to the local farmers' market...

MinnMoms.com offers several suggestions about how to turn a family trip to the farmers' market into an adventure. Here are a few of my favorites:

Taste your way through the market: At the markets here in Chicago, you can taste everything from cheese and honey to fresh salsa and ripe peaches. This is a great opportunity to have the farmers and vendors tell kids about new foods.

Challenge kids to find new and unusual foods: What's the strangest looking vegetable? Definitely kohlrabi or maybe celery root. How many orange items can you find? Probably, several. Kids might be more apt to eat something new if they've had a hand in locating it.

Let your kids handle the money: Because most markets only take cash, this is a great place to help older kids learn about making change and the value of money.

Buy a tasty treat: What's my favorite part of going to a farmers' market? The fresh fruit crepes and homemade scones I snack on when I'm finished shopping. Share a snack with your kids once they're finished helping with shopping.

Also, my farmers' market often offers activities targeted specificially to kids—music, story-telling, etc. See if your local market has any similar offerings. To locate farmers' markets in your area, visit Local Harvest.

Do you go to the farmer's market with your kids?

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: cooking with kids, food, grocery shopping, healthy choices, kid-friendly, suggestions

Comments (5)

JessecaLynn

on May 6, 2009 at 5:04 PM

We go to the farmers market all the time!!! We are going on Sat for the first time this season! I can't wait!

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RanaAurora

on May 7, 2009 at 12:08 AM

I plan on going this Saturday for the first time this year too. :)
WIC in lots of places, and lots MORE places this summer, is adding farmer's market vouchers for fruits and vegetables. You can get healthy, pesticide-free and high-nutrient value food AND support local farmers. I'm excited. :)

science_spot

on May 7, 2009 at 6:30 AM

This is a weekly activity for us! Our market is super small, but convenient. We go to the larger one 15 minutes from here about 1x per month. I think I'll do it this Saturday.... great idea!!

aurorabunny

on May 7, 2009 at 1:16 PM

Christie you reminded me...our big local farmers market is now accepting food stamps, which I think is awesome! Hopefully other states are doing this too!

girl_in_the_D

on May 7, 2009 at 1:36 PM

we go every weekend..in Detroit we have a huge 100+ year old market that makes me unbelievably happy :) We pick thru the fruits, veggies, breads, antiques ect for hours and then we go to a local restaurant that buys from the market and eat a huge fresh breakfast. Next weekend they have their annual Flower Day that draws 100,000+ people to the acres and acres for flowers