by Carie Moore
Farmers markets are in full swing across the state. I was lucky to be a part of the summer reading program in our community and talk to the kids about locally grown produce and sales at farmers’ markets.
We have a farmers market in our community and sellers who are both rural and urban. It's a great opportunity to connect with people and children and talk about where food comes from and its nutritional aspect.
Who doesn't love fresh peas or green beans picked off the plant or super sweet corn boiled with some butter, salt and pepper or a cucumber on some spinach with carrots and onions and tomatoes in a great salad?
A lot of work goes into planting and caring for a garden. There is also the sales and marketing of your products. It's a great chance for children and adults to get out and be active and play a small part in local food production.
The book I read to the children talks about how businesses attending the farmers market prepare for the upcoming event. For instance, some vegetables are picked the day prior to going to market. Some are best picked the day of the market, as the sun rises, when the temperature is still relatively cool.
We also talked about pizza and how the ingredients are all grown or raised here in North Dakota. Watch this video to learn more.
Any day we can connect kids with agriculture is a good day.