Kids and Farmers Markets
There are two things that always seem to mix nicely, whether you expect it or not — kids and farmers markets. I’m not even entirely sure why, since this combines a few things that tend to bring sneers and/or tantrums from kids (such as green vegetables and shopping).
If you have not taken your kid to the nearest farmers market, then get going! Seriously!
Going to a local market is one of my favorite things to do with the kids and, interestingly, it’s one of the few things they do for mom that they also enjoy. There are never tantrums, and they usually end up eating something amazing and delicious. For instance, when we hit the local market a week ago, the toddlers had a morning snack of petite, star-shaped croissants filled with goat cheese and rhubarb (pictured) made by a local baker.
We also bought several great tasting items to use at home, from strawberries to grass-fed pork to fresh asparagus. Even my veggie-hating youngest daughter eagerly noshed away at a just-baked spear of asparagus. To see her gripping it with delight as if it were a lollipop was pretty amazing, especially since she rarely touches the green stuff.
Besides the fun of it all, there are many wonderful examples and lessons it sets for the children about important issues like local food and sustainability. My oldest child is 5, and she is just starting to understand when I explain to her why it’s nice to get our food from our “neighbors.”
Now that spring is under way, check your region for a nearby farmers market. If you’ve struggled for a way to get your children to eat healthier, or to try new foods, or to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, a farmers market is probably the answer. Kids love to eat the foods they’ve discovered at a local market.
