Join us this Saturday, May 20, as the Union County Farmers Market kicks off our 2023 Nourish Kids program. This program has been designed to get children excited about local food and healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables. Once again, our market has partnered with Nourish Knoxville to present this program. Through a grant, Nourish Knoxville has been able to assist markets like ours throughout East Tennessee, providing materials and Produce Bucks making this program possible.
This program is a win-win for our families, farmers and the local economy. Children have fun while building healthy eating habits and engaging in the local food system through conversations with farmers, educational games and demonstrations, and exposure to new fruits and vegetables. Kids build relationships with farmers, create positive associations with fruit and vegetables, develop budgeting skills, and begin to influence their local food economy.
Meet us at the UT Extension booth to register for our Nourish Kids ‘Kids Club’. All children ages 2-12 years are welcome. Remember, Nourish Kids Club is FREE and offers children a fun activity, the opportunity to sample something locally grown, and $5 in Produce Bucks for your child to spend at the market.
Nourish Kids will be meeting on the 3rd Saturday of each month with an extra program on Saturday, June 3. Mark your calendars as you won’t want to miss any of the fun programs this year. Each Saturday, we will have a new program partner like our library, 4H, local scouts, the Farm Bureau and more. Families may drop by at any time and participate in these exciting programs and, around noon, the older set may try preparing some new recipes on Nourish Kids Day.
The market is open under the pavilion at the new, ever expanding, Heritage Park. We’re open every Saturday from 10am – 1pm through Saturday, October 7. For more information please call UT Extension/Union County at 865-992-8038 or email bbergero@utk.edu. We’re looking forward to seeing both you and your children back at the market this year!