Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme may be lyrics to a Simon and Garfunkel song but they are also found at your local Farmer’s Market. Since the Garden State is filled with family owned farms and small businesses, a fabulous place to bring your children for learning about healthy food and expand their awareness of produce is a Farmers Market.
Opening up in the spring, Farmers Markets populate each county and offer families unique experiences. We love the variety of vegetables and the ability to sample new foods as well as the interesting visit from food trucks or animal shelters. Here are our reasons why we encourage you to take a trip to a few Farmers Markets this season!
Mommy University Presents
10 Reasons to Visit a Farmers Market
Learn About Food
No matter the age of your child, there is knowledge to be acquired by visiting a Farmers Market. For young children, they are developing an understanding of farming. As children get older, they develop an increased awareness of different produce, cheese and sometimes even olives!
Kids learned how chicken eggs can come in different shapes and colors.
Sample New Food
Some vendors have free samples or taste testings which encourages children to try new foods, ingredients, and flavors. Did you know not all carrots are orange? Experiment by bringing home a new food each trip and don’t forget to ask for recommendations from the farmers on recipes.
Meet the Farmers
By children meeting the farmers, they are developing an appreciation of the work required to grow these plants as well as being exposed to a unique career. I never know the questions my children will ask, but since traveling they have become curious investigators. Encourage children to talk to the individuals working at the Farmers Market as you don’t know what they might learn.
Learn about Farming
If your kids are unfamiliar with gardening, this would be a perfect time to discuss how the fruits and vegetables came to be at the market. Most growers would be happy to spend a short amount of time talking with kids about their products. As well, children will also be exposed to how farming varies. Within New Jersey, farming can refer to sunflowers, cranberries, and corn.
Eating Healthier
While some Farmers Markets will sell pastries and cupcakes, these are all freshly made. However, there is an invitation for them to eat more fruits and vegetables. Pick up some fresh and healthy fruit for snacks for the week!
Visit NJ
Farmers Markets are located throughout NJ. We are known as the Garden State for a reason. Farmers Markets exist on the main roads in Sussex County to the concrete streets of Newark to the parking lots of train stations in Montclair. By visiting a few locations, children are learning more about travel and local culture. The Markets also offer unique experiences and reflections of the diversity located in our state.
Investing in the Community
By making a purchase, your money goes directly to supporting local farms and small businesses. Farms are usually family owned, so your purchase is directly supporting families. This is a great discussion to have with your children about supporting local and small businesses. Buying local promotes a sense of pride and investment in our community.
Seasons of Meals
For those who shop at the food store, strawberries can be available all year with varying cost; however, there are specific seasons for this fruit. Exposing children to locally produced food increases their awareness of the seasons of meals. When a particular produce is in season, it tastes divine. Enhancing their understanding of this will impact healthier eating habits as they get older.
Story Time
Some Farmers Markets offer story times for children as well as arts and crafts. Not all Markets offer this wonderful space for children, but that is part of the fun investigating. Some Markets will have music, animal shelters or rescue groups, or other activities that will appeal to your young children.
Family Memories
Just as fruits have a season, so do local Farmers Markets which usually open up in the spring and close in the fall. Bringing children to the Farmers Markets creates family memories. When the family gathers around the BBQ to enjoy the sweet corn or eat peach cobbler for dessert, all of these ingredients can be selected together and enjoyed as a family. The invitation to make family memories is at your local Farmers Market!
You may also so enjoy:
10 Educational Benefits of Visiting a Farm
10 Benefits of Gardening with Kids
Our town in PA has a Farmer’s Market every Friday night from May to October! I shared this on Facebook and reminded my friends about the Farmer’s Market tonight
Thank you so much Amy!!!! I can’t wait until the one in my town starts:)
It’s interesting to know that some Farmers Markets will offer story times for your children to keep them entertained. I was interested in visiting the Farmers Market with my family but wasn’t sure if my children would be interested in walking around and buying vegetables all day. Knowing that my children will be entertained at the Farmers Market makes me excited to plan a trip for the whole family.