Having Fun at a Farmer's Market

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

15 Apr 2009 01:42 PM

Now that the weather is warming up, farmers markets are springing up around the country. In warmer climates these massive markets are open year round, but here in the chilly Upper Midwest, outdoor farmers markets are seasonal (and the indoor ones are only held bi-weekly). Their fleeting appearance from May until October is one of the reasons they are so popular in my neck of the woods. Another reason produce-loving residents flock to farmers markets here is that they are just plain fun.

When was the last time you took your children to a farmers market?

My preschooler loves visiting our local farmers market, and so do I. The place is prime for hands-on lessons in nutrition, science and math. After all, it's not everyday that you can expose a child to heirloom tomatoes, white peaches, Japanese eggplant, classic Italian gelato, Mexican tamales, Vietnamese soup and Chinese tea, all in the same place.

Our local farmers market doesn't come close to competing with the granddaddies of the genre like The Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market in San Francisco. That place is a produce lovers dream come true. The market is held on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and is stocked with more goodies than you could possibly sample... in a lifetime.

Kids of all ages are welcome to sample more than 60 varieties of apples and beans. There are also dozens of different kinds of dried fruit, nuts, and chocolate concoctions. In addition, you can take home locally made olive oil, fresh salsas, flowers and plants from Sonoma, even California farmed caviar and organic meat.

During the summer months the popular farmers market is packed with up to 75 farmers and 30 vendors, along with thousands of hungry visitors. Summer is also the time when 100 varieties of tomatoes are on display as well as 200 varieties of stone fruits like peaches and plums.

If you visit with your children don't be afraid to quiz the farmers on their wares. The vendors are more than happy to chat about what it takes to grow their fabulous produce and encourage children to make healthier food choices.

What's your favorite part of the farmers market?

Related Articles:

Family Travel: Taking Your Children To A Strawberry Farm

Family Fun at the Pumpkin Patch

Planting a Pizza Garden---A Great Family Project

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Samual (11722) 15 Apr 2009 02:01 PM

Here markets aren't seasonal, farmers markets are either held weekly or bi-weekly, all out door as well. Where we live the farmers market is only every other saturday, which is a bit disappointing. Ostrich eggs are my favourite part, the children like a particular stall where the farmer makes little wooden animals. I have a question though, you mention that only some have organic meat, here all products at a farmers market must be organic and free range.

Michele Cheplic (37339) 16 Apr 2009 05:47 AM

Only some have organic meat, because the others don't sell meat products at all. You're right Samual, my understanding is that unless it is organic or free range then it cannot be sold at the farmers market. I could be wrong and I don't know how the organizers could police such a thing, but I would assume the vendors would be honest about their products.

Samual (11722) 16 Apr 2009 11:16 AM

They police it here as only organic free range farmers, here you have to be certified to prove you don't cheat or anything, then only these farmers can obtain a lease for a stall. Bit of a palaver really.