Children in Jefferson County will have weekly opportunities to learn about local food systems in a hands-on, child-friendly way at the Jefferson County Farmers Market Association’s new kid’s club.

Called the Power of Produce Club, the program aims to encourage more involvement from kids and families at the association’s two smaller markets while educating youngsters on farmers and food sources.

The club for kids ages 5 to 12 will be offered at the Sunday market in Chimacum, which opened June 3, and at the Wednesday market at Haines Place Park & Ride, which opens June 6.

The program is launching thanks to a $7,000 grant from the First Federal Community Foundation.

“We’re really excited,” said market director Amanda Milholland, noting offering a weekly kids’ program has been something she has wanted to implement for some time.

FROM SEED TO PLATE

Since 2016, the Chimacum Farmers Market has been hosting kid’s day once a month, which has transformed that market into a family and kid-focused hub on that day, Milholland said.

“We’ve seen that it’s making a really great difference,” she said.

Milholland looks forward to seeing programs for kids offered on a more consistent, weekly basis at two markets.

“I see it as an opportunity for both kids and families to get more involved,” she said.

The plan is to start offering the program at the two smaller markets before offering it at the Saturday market.

Weekly activities will be hosted by market managers and a rotating group of community partners, including Port Townsend Public and Jefferson County Libraries, the Organic Seed Alliance, the YMCA, Chimacum Corner Farmstand and Port Townsend Chiropractic, Milholland said.

Kids will plant seeds, learn about how plants grow, participate in story time, taste locally grown fruits and vegetables and use food as materials for craft making, Milholland said.

Through these activities, kids would have more of a direct connection to the farmers and understand the process behind the plants – from seed to fruit, or vegetable – and learn about what produce is in season when.

“Locally grown produce is available at Jefferson County Farmers Markets at the peak of its freshness and nutrient value,” Milholland said, noting imported foods are less tasty and nutritious than locally grown ones, and also travel a shorter distance, requiring less fossil fuel.

At the farmers market, seasonal produce is often picked hours before it is sold. Kids will learn radishes, for example, are available in spring, strawberries and tomatoes in summer, apples in the fall and root vegetables in winter.

PART OF THE SYSTEM

Milholland said it is important to start young when it comes to developing a taste and value for nutritious food.

“Part of the program is about building those habits in kids of a young age,” Milholland said. “It is important to start eating fruits and vegetables at an early age because we develop our eating habits for life in our childhood. By teaching our children healthy eating habits, we can help our children maintain healthy weight, normal growth, and prevent chronic disease.”

Milholland noted that according to the Jefferson County Community Health Improvement Plan, “Chronic disease accounts for the top four causes of death and the top three causes of hospitalization in Jefferson County” and 8 out of 10 adults in Jefferson County are not eating the minimum daily recommendation of fruits and vegetables.

Kids participating in Power of Produce will also have buying power. After completing weekly activities, they will receive $2 for local fruit or vegetables from the market, Milholland said.

“Purchasing locally gives us the opportunity to see ourselves as part of the food system,” she said. “At market, we see that food comes from farms and is grown by people who work hard to care for the crops and animals that feed us as well as the soil that will sustain the next generation of eaters and farmers.”

Milholland added the program would also support local farmers by encouraging more kids and families to come to invest in the market.

“It is important to purchase and eat local food for our health, the health of our environment, and for our local economy,” she said. “Direct sales between farmers and market shoppers support small business growth and keep more circulating money in our local economy.”

INVESTING IN YOUTH

The First Federal Community Foundation grant will support the development and first year of operation.

“We are excited about the Power of Produce Club’s potential to educate children about the fresh, nutritious foods available from local sources,” said foundation executive director Karen McCormick. “Investing in our youth will pay dividends to local families for years to come.”

Membership to the Power of Produce Club and $2 tokens is open to kids ages 5 to 12 years old. All ages are welcome to partake in the other activities.

The market also is looking for additional community support to ensure that the club is an ongoing market program and that sufficient funds for providing $2 to club kids are available for the entire Wednesday and Chimacum market seasons.

For more information, contact Milholland at info@jcfmarkets.org, 360-379-9098.