[FMC] Activities & educational programming for kids at markets

[Cynthia Price]

A very simple educational piece that we've used at our South East Area
Farmers' Market and elsewhere is to get a cider press from someone and
make apple cider. The kids can turn the handle and most are amazed at
what comes out the other end.

They're heavy but it's just the one thing, and usually farmers don't
mind loaning them out.

Plus, if you're servicing lower-income folks as we are (or even if
you're not) it's nice to give people the free, healthy beverage.

Cynthia Price
Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council

On Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 2:46 PM, Deb Connors <dconnors at cwbkc.com> wrote:
> We had some success developing some partnerships with area organizations
> during our 150th Anniversary in 2007. The National Agricultural Center and
> Hall of Fame put together a nice display of agricultural equipment around
> the market and this year they have a booth on site once a month during our
> food festivals to discuss the history of agriculture and the future of
> farming.  They bring a trivia wheel and prizes for kids and promote their
> own special programming calendar.
>
>
>
> We have also established a partnership with our local University Extension
> Office.  Their staff has committed to weekly recipe sampling opportunities
> during the Saturday Farmers' Market.  They have also organized a walking map
> and actively distribute to interested shoppers.
>
>
>
> The scavenger hunt sounds like a great idea as long as you can keep it
> simple.  We have found adding kids activities as been a great way to enhance
> what we call the "market experience".  It may not drive specific traffic to
> your market but those who are shopping will likely enjoy the addition,
> resulting in more loyal shoppers. Especially if it helps parents to
> encourage their kids to try new vegetables.   If you find it to be
> successful, do share. It sounds like fun and we are always looking for new
> ideas.
>
>
>
> Good Luck!
>
>
>
> Stephanie A. Spatz-Ornburn
>
> Director of Marketing & Events
>
> The City Market
>
> 20 E. 5th Street, Suite 201
>
> Kansas City, MO  64106
>
> p: 816-842-1271  f: 816-471-6168
>
> sspatzornburn at cwbkc.com
>
> a copaken white blitt managed property
>
>
>
>
>
> From: fmc-bounces at lists.farmersmarketcoalition.org
> [mailto:fmc-bounces at lists.farmersmarketcoalition.org] On Behalf Of Bralts
> Lisa
> Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 9:21 AM
> To: fmc at lists.farmersmarketcoalition.org
> Subject: [FMC] Activities & educational programming for kids at markets
>
>
>
> Hi, all:
>
> I'm interested in developing some educational activities for kids at our
> market. In the past there have been a couple of special events each season
> geared toward young folks, but they've had nothing to do with food or
> nutrition, and I'd like to change that.
>
> Unfortunately, I don't have as much time as I'd like to develop something
> permanent/ongoing, so I'm working with a dietetics/nutrition student from
> our local giant university who approached me about doing a one-time special
> event around nutrition and kids at the market as an unpaid internship. So
> we're in the planning stages… and I'm a little stumped in terms of getting
> started (probably doesn't help that Tuesdays are my Mondays in terms of work
> week).
>
> She would like to do a tasting-as-scavenger hunt - kids come to the market,
> get cards where they have to try certain fruits and vegetables listed (as
> distributed by participating vendors), get them checked off as they travel
> the Market, and return the cards for a prize. Pretty simple, though it could
> be a bit of a logistical hassle due to the size/setup of our market.
>
> Has anyone ever tried something like this before? How much time/space is
> devoted at your market toward programming for kids?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Lisa
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> Lisa Bralts
> Economic Development Specialist
> Director, Market at the Square
> City of Urbana
> 400 South Vine Street
> Urbana, IL  61801
>
> p: (217) 384-2319
> f:  (217) 384-0200
>
> email: ljbralts at city.urbana.il.us
>
> www.city.urbana.il.us/market
>
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