With June comes farmers market season in Rhode Island. The last few years, we’ve grown some of our own vegetables, but nothing beats the local farmers market for additional produce and atmosphere. Farmers markets are made for families. Here are a few things kids can learn from being there.
Photo: Lehigh Valley PA/Flicker
Food Comes From the Earth
You’d never know it from the cold, sterile environment of a supermarket where tomatoes are packaged in plastic and carrots come dirt-free. At the farmers market, we see veggies with their leaves and roots hanging out. They’re fresh and earthy—rather like kids themselves. Here, little ones discover that tomatoes come in many colors, that there is such a thing as purple cauliflower, that local peaches are smaller (and sweeter) than the commercially grown variety.
With no layers between you and the food, you can smell or taste something right there. And famers love to offer samples, especially to eager children.
Food Varies by Season
Kids (and some adults) might be surprised by the lack of certain foods at a farmers market. In most states, you won’t find bananas and avocadoes. With the convenience of the supermarket, it’s easy to forget these tropical fruits could not bear a North American winter.
A trip to the farmers market teaches kids the concept of “eating local.” Here in New England, might only have berries in summer, but they taste better then. And come winter, we have some of the crispest apples around.
Pawpaw from Rocky Point Farm, RI.
Eating by season and region invites opportunities to try something new like the pawpaw my daughter and I tasted for the first time at the our local market. The pawpaw is a tropical-like fruit native to parts of the Midwest and South, but Rocky Point Farm experimented with varieties that could handle the Rhody climate. Their crop ripens in the fall. Part mango, part avocado and part banana, the pawpaw is best eaten fresh (two or three days after picking) and is great in baking, ice cream or smoothies. The farmer even provided us with a sheet of pawpaw recipe ideas.
Food Brings People Together
How many of you hang out at the supermarket? Yeah, I thought so. I’m in and I’m out, usually in record time. However, farmers markets are communal by nature, great for lingering and socializing. We run into friends, meet new neighbors, discuss dinner menus with the farmers themselves. Kids have space to chase each other without worry that someone will knock over an endcap display. Plus the market offers more than just food, from vendors selling handmade soaps and locally grown flowers to live music and community events.
It’s the fruits and veggies that shine, though. Being able to make a tangible connection with the food we eat, outdoors, in a community atmosphere. Farmers markets—fresh, local and fun—elevate food shopping from an item on our to-do list to a reason for celebration.
This post is featured on Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways and Small Footprint Fridays.
These are great things for kids to learn!