8 ways to get the most out of the farmers market with kids

“They eat things I feel like they wouldn’t normally eat because they are being introduced to it in a different environment, on their terms,” says Iannillo. Right now, “it’s all about the strawberries.” Ianillo says the girls have come to appreciate the short season and enjoy the strawberries as much as possible.

Shopping at farmers markets also can create a sense of community, since it supports local farmers and producers.

So parents, grab your wallet and some reusable bags. Here are eight ways to get your kids engaged at the farmers market:

1) Encourage children to ask three questions of the farmers/producers. As you move through the market, questions will probably pop up. How many eggs does a chicken lay every day? Why are some vegetables labeled organic and others aren’t? What does grass-fed mean? Why are different types of corn different colors?

2) Show up hungry! And taste as much as you can. Tasting might be more limited this summer as different markets adjust to shifting COVID rules. In regular times, most producers are happy to offer up a slice of plum, a sliver of cheese, a taste of homemade jam on a cracker. This is also a good way to teach kids how to ask for something politely, and show appreciation for the sampling.

3) Bring home one fruit or vegetable that’s completely new to you, and figure out how to use it. Maybe you’ll find some golden berries, watermelon radishes or dandelion greens. You can try your find as is, or add it to a salad, pasta dish, pie or other recipe. Our best find when the kids were little was an ostrich egg, an enormous egg that we discovered has the equivalent of 24 large chicken eggs inside it. We learned how to get the egg out of the shell without breaking it, and we made a huge amount of scrambled eggs for our neighbors, using ramps — wild leeks which were also regional and in season. We were able to keep the ostrich egg shell on our fireplace mantle for years as a memento of an interesting farmers market expedition.