Many people are already used to shopping at farmers’ markets. Some do it every week and it’s their main source of food, others only shop here once in a while to pick up seasonal fruits and vegetables, but there are also people who come to farmers’ markets for quality family time and educational purposes.
Parents make a conscious decision to bring their children to farmers’ markets regularly to educate them on the values of traditional farming and wholesome food.
Farmers’ markets are a fantastic place to teach children through inspiring them, specifically encouraging them to engage in conversations with vendors and allowing them to discover what it takes to grow and produce food.
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In a world where we consume a lot, food and other things, without really paying attention to where those things come from, and the level of work it takes to produce them, farmers’ markets are ideal places to learn through becoming inspired.
And it’s not just the children.
Everyone who’s ever shopped at a farmer’s market and spent some time with the producers, listening to them talking about food and their advice on food, can testify to how incredible it feels to be part of that, even if you are just the buyer.
You are actually a very strong link in the chain as a shopper because if you shop from farmers, you support their work and they are able to make a profit and survive despite competition from the supermarket industry and a globalized economy.
Simply listening to a farmer’s story can inspire you to become more mindful about food, more so if you are a child because children are so much more open and curious.
Children absorb knowledge like a sponge absorbs water and the lessons learnt in childhood they will take with them into adulthood, thus becoming a more mindful person and developing a new kind of respect for food and the people who produce real food, for the earth without which we would have no food and the entire planet, which is the main instrument that supports agricultural practices.
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So you see there is so much that comes into play when you bring a child at a farmer’s market. And if that hasn’t convinced you, here are a couple of more reasons proving it’s worth shopping with children at farmers’ markets:
- It’s fun. It really is. It’s the weekend, and everyone’s in a better mood than weekdays, and farmers have such a good sense of humor that you’ll undoubtedly leave the place a happier person.
- It’s healthy food. We already eat very unhealthy because a lot of what’s on the market is pesticides-full, so why not eat at least once a day all-natural, even if that’s just a fruit or a vegetable. It’ll still make a difference.
- It’s learning how to shop. Not only can you help your children learn about farming and real food but you can use farmer’s markets to teach them how to shop smart by letting them buy their own food and encouraging them to make wise choices.
- It’s about new food. There are foods at farmers’ markets that you can’t find at stores, and the fact that your children can try new foods through a fun experience will discourage picky eating even outside a farmer’s market.