Farmers' Markets Are for Families

Author: Paul Simon

School is out and our children are now on summer vacation – or are they? As a parent of three young girls, my wife and I find ourselves signing up the kids for various summer activities such as swimming, drama camp, dance classes and music, to name a few. However, beyond organized classes and camps, summer is also a great time to involve your kids in engaging outdoor activities in new learning environments to stimulate their growth. 

One of my favorite summer activities is attending the local farmers’ market with my kids.  Your local market provides an ideal environment where children can learn about their food and also practically apply skills and knowledge they have developed during the school year.

Experienced farmers and produce growers are the teachers in this informal classroom. If the market isn’t too busy, my children and I take advantage of their knowledge by asking a variety of questions.  Farmers take a lot of pride in their work and always seem eager to explain the process by which they have cultivated their crops.  From growing tips to advice on how to adapt to unfavorable weather conditions, there is always a great tale to share. 

It is often challenging for my children to begin a conversation with the farmers, so I frequently pose the first question. Once dialogue is initiated, their hesitation fades and their natural curiosity leads to engaging conversations. Together we learn how long it takes to grow each vegetable, the best tool for the job and if scarecrows really work.

To hone math skills, I let my daughters calculate our bill and pay for our purchases (a task they relish as they often get to keep some of the remaining change as well). We then journey back to the house to enjoy our new fruits and vegetables! Comments from the back seat of the car such as, “these bags not only have food, but a story that comes along with it” confirm the success of our trips.