THE NEW ‘MARKET SPROUTS KIDS CLUB’ AT PARTICIPATING WASHINGTON COUNTY FARMER’S MARKETS
INSPIRES A NEW GENERATION OF HEALTHY AND EDUCATED EATERS!
A CLUE EACH SATURDAY AT THE BEAVERTON FARMERS MARKET’S CREATES A FUN WAY FOR KIDS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND
THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM AND MAKE HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES.
BEAVERTON, OR – June 14, 2012
On Saturday, June 2nd, Washington County Farmers Markets** launched The Market Sprouts Kids Club. The program was designed to inspire a new generation of healthy and educated eaters by creating a fun way for kids to participate at the market. The mission of the program is to foster a relationship with local farmers so that children can better understand their local food system, enjoy nutritious foods, and empower them to make healthy food choices.
In order to help involve kids in how their food is made and where it comes from, the Market Sprouts Kids Club offers fun and engaging activities. On opening day at the Beaverton Farmers Market, 125 participants enrolled. Each week we offer a riddle or puzzle that will send the kids into the market. The first week’s clue was, “Not all eggs come from chickens. Sometimes we eat eggs from other birds. Find some in the market”. The kids scurried around and found several vendors selling duck eggs. One of the farmers displayed photos of his ducks and spent a good portion of his day initialing Market Sprouts passports. The kids were so enthusiastic they came sprinting back to turn in their passports and receive a sticker.
Last week the question was, “I am a bug. I use my shell to protect me from ants. I have polka dots.” The answer of course was “Lady Bug”. The kids then visited our Beneficial Insect Booth.
The clue for this week is, “If you shake me enough, I turn to butter. I come from a large animal that eats only grass.” The kids will be directed to Lady Lane Farm, our dairy.
Ginger Rapport, manager of the Beaverton Farmers Market, says that the kids really have fun with this. The parents are equally enthusiastic because their children are excited for the market. One Mom told Ginger that her little boy woke up on Saturday morning and said, “Oh goodie, today we get to look for something in the market.” The Mom expressed, “ It made us feel pretty great!”
The Market Sprouts Club is free and open to kids ages 5-12 at all of the Washington County Farmers Markets. Upon enrolling in the Market Sprouts Club, participants receive a re-usable shopping bag, a Market Sprouts sticker, and a passport to solve weekly puzzles or riddles.
**Participating Farmers Markets include: Beaverton, Tigard, Forest Grove, North Plains, and the Hillsboro Farmers Markets
For more information go to: www.beavertonfarmersmarket.com