Beacon Farmers’ Market Announces Two New Kid-Oriented Programs
This particular market is one of those right of passage situations, you can't truly call yourself a Hudson Valley-er if you haven't visited the Sunday Beacon Farmers' Market.
With that in mind, this month the Beacon Farmers' Market has announced not one, but two amazing programs for the fall with support from Hudson Valley Credit Union. Both initiatives are part of Common Ground Farm's 'broader work around food access, education and community connection.'
Teeny Greenies at Beacon Farmers' Market
For the littlest visitors to the Sunday market, consider picking up a Teeny Greenies coupon for your children. Through this program, kids that visit the market can receive $4 in 'Teeny Greenies' coupons along with an activity booklet that focuses on food, nutrition and early financial literacy.
Amy Bandolik, Market Manager for the Beacon Farmers' Market, shared that the program was designed to give children the autonomy to make their own purchases at the market, as they get to choose what to buy and learn to budget while also trying new foods and connecting with the community.
Teeny Greenies give children the opportunity to make their own purchasing decisions while learning basic concepts like budgeting, spending, and the value of locally grown food. The program also helps introduce young shoppers to farmers’ markets as places to find fresh food, connect with local farmers and businesses, and spend time with their community.
Additionally the $4 in coupons are to be spent with market vendors!
SEE ALSO: What Other Farmers' Market Launched Their Very Own Wine?
The Tasting Station Helps Visitors Explore The Market
An eight week pilot called 'The Tasting Station,' another initiative through Common Ground, has launched this month and will help shoppers and visitors to the market explore it 'in a new way.'
Every Sunday 'The Tasting Station' will feature' a small taste, comparison, unfamiliar ingredient or unexpected pairing drawn from the farmers and producers' who vend at the market.
As the market has grown, we want it to feel easier than ever to find your way through — to discover what’s here, try something new, and connect with the people behind it.
The goal of this program is to support food access, healthy eating and early financial literacy for children and the broader mission of Common Ground Farm’s work around food access, education, and community connection.
Common Ground Farm is the steward behind not only the Beacon, but the Newburgh Farmers' Market as well, which also runs year round. The Tasting Stations will be available at Newburgh in addition to Beacon.
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Gallery Credit: Connor Falk
