For millions of Americans, a weekly trip to the local farmer's market is a nice break from supermarket shopping and a chance to get fresh delicious produce straight from the growers. But it can also be a great way to spend a morning or afternoon with the kids, offering children a fun atmosphere and the chance to expand their palates and learn more about food.
After earning a degree in Art from The University of California, Berkeley, and founding a children's toy and stationery company, Janice Morrow began studying at culinary schools around the country, learning from chefs who encouraged her to pursue her artistic culinary talents. Today Morrow operates The White Apron School of Culinary Design for Children, where she teaches healthy and creative cooking to over 500 students, ranging in age from 4 to 16. Here she explains the benefits of taking your kids to the farmer's market:
- It's good for the kids.
One of the best things that you can do for your children, says Morrow, is to take them to an open-air farmers market where there's an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Try new foods.
Sample a fun new fruit or vegetable that your children haven't tried before. Kids are more apt to taste something if they've selected the fruits or vegetables themselves.
- Taste before you buy.
Farmers and sellers usually allow shoppers to taste something before they buy. Tasting, smelling, feeling and experiencing the food is part of the fun of going to a farmers market. In the end, or course, you take the produce home and cook with it.
- Get acquainted with farmers and with food.
Take the opportunity to meet the vendors and growers and introduce your children. You'll build friendships with the farmers and learn more about the food. You'll also be amazed to see your develop relationships with the food that they eat.
For more information about kids and food, check out the following organizations or websites:
USDA: Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children
www.usda.gov
Nutrition.gov
www.nutrition.gov
Nibbles: Kids and Food
www.urbanext.uiuc.edu
Kids and Food: Starting a Lifetime of Healthy Eating
www.bcm.tmc.edu
Kids Nutrition
www.ext.nodak.edu
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