It’s May. The air is fresh. The sun is shining. And spring vegetables are in season. While my local farmers is year round, there is something special about the springtime farmers market. I personally think it’s the spring season vegetables that give it that extra magic.
Bringing your kids to the farmers market is an excellent way to promote a plant rich diet. It gives your children an opportunity to directly interact with fruits and vegetables, as well as the people who grow them. Here are a few activities you can do with your kids on your next trip to the local market:
Farmers market “scavenger hunt”: Give your kids a bag, a budget, and some prompts to send them on a fun “scavenger hunt” through the market. Some ideas include: “What do you want to pack in your lunch this week? What vegetable is in season right now? Can you find a fruit or vegetable in red, orange, yellow, green, and purple?”
Plan a recipe or meal as a family: Go to the market and allow each family member to choose an ingredient from the market. Use all the ingredients to prepare a family recipe or even an entire meal with what was selected.
Play “I spy” with fruits and vegetables: If your kiddos are younger, this game might be a good way to engage them in learning about fruits and vegetables. Asking them to find “something orange” or “something green” and then talking about what they found is an easy introduction to pique their curiosity.
If a game is too complicated, oftentimes a simple stroll is more than enough to launch a family discussion around plant-based eating habits at home. There is something enticing about a colorful table full of spring vegetables that even a child can’t resist.
I’ll be spending my Saturday mornings at the Noe Valley Farmers Market - follow me on Facebook and Instagram for the details!
