By Boots on the Farm Consulting, LLC
The farmer’s market is one of my favorite classrooms. Not the kind with walls or desks, but one filled with color, sound, and discovery. When small children visit the market, something amazing happens. Every sense comes alive!!
You can hear the chatter of neighbors greeting each other, smell the sweet mix of kettle corn and fresh herbs, and see tables overflowing with bright greens, golden sweet potatoes, and jars that sparkle like sunshine. Children don’t just see produce, they actually experience it.
I recently watched a toddler pick up a tomato and whisper, “It’s cold!” before handing it to her mom. Another little one pointed out that carrots have “green hair.” These small, innocent observations remind us that the market is a place of learning if we just slow down and let them explore.
Visiting a farmers market teaches lessons that last far beyond the day:
- Colors & Counting: Sorting apples by color or counting how many pumpkins fit in a row.
- Language: Asking, “What’s that?” and learning new words like okra or collards.
- Social Connection: Meeting the people who grow our food and saying “thank you.”
- Healthy Choices: Seeing where food comes from encourages curiosity about eating it.
Market Moment Activity:
Give your child a small reusable bag or basket. As you shop, let them pick one fruit or vegetable that’s new to them. At home, wash it together, taste it, and talk about its color, shape, and flavor. You’re not just buying produce, you’re growing a curious eater.
