POP Kids' Club Program
Introduction
The Power of Produce (POP) Club is a farmers market-based children program that seeks to teach children about fruits and vegetables, local food systems and healthy food preparation through fun activities. Participants engage in the full farmers market experience, trying new foods, having conversations with farmers, and buying local produce. Fun weekly activities ranging from cooking demonstrations to farmers market scavenger hunts provide nutrition, food, agriculture, and exercise education. POP participants will receive market currency weekly to spend on the food of their choice at the market. Club kids are encouraged to try new foods and overcome picky eating to choose healthy food options. Through the Two Bite Challenge, kids are awarded for taking two bites of the featured fruit or vegetable of the day. |
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Below is a list of the tools used in the POP program: POP Passport – Pop Club kids will each have a Passport to check in weekly to track attendance and progress. POP Currency – POP kids will receive $2 market currency each week for use in shopping at the market’s participating fruit and vegetable vendors. It can be spent weekly or accumulated for a larger purchase. Two Bite Challenge – Club kids are encouraged to try two bites of the “Produce of the Week”. It could be a vegetable or fruit… who is up for the challenge? Weekly Education Activity – POP Club kids will have an opportunity to participate in weekly featured activities, which may include things like: vegetable print painting, cooking, planting, scavenger hunts, guessing mystery vegetables - the possibilities are endless! Rewards – Daily participation rewards include: stickers, temporary tattoos, prizes, additional currency, treats or other goodies. Kids who participate in 9 of 13 weeks will receive a special treat at the end of the season! POP Club Vision and Goals The Power of Produce (POP) Club is made up of three main components:
Each of the POP Club’s activities is driven by the triple bottom line:
What makes POP unique is that it puts the buying power into the hands of children, giving children the opportunity to be the consumers. Farmers benefit from the young POP consumers buying fresh produce directly from them at the farmers market. The market currency sales provide both new revenue and the potential for new, dedicated consumers. Farmers’ produce is featured as children try new foods each week through Two Bite Club. Further, weekly educational activities instruct children on the important role of farmers markets, farming, and reinforcing the connection between the land and our food. Young consumers are empowered to make healthy food choices on their own by having the direct buying power. Giving all children market currency to spend at the market gives them access to fresh produce each week. Through both the Two Bite Club and weekly activities they get to try fresh, nutritious food that they might not have otherwise, slowly liking new, healthy food options that will be foundational to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Communities benefit from the additional families the POP Club brings to the market both through additional local sales and energy at the market as well as benefits to surrounding local businesses. Having an energetic POP Club with dedicated families and young customers can be an important part of having a lively market that encourages other customers to return to be a part of the vibrant public space. The POP Club is a win-win-win for the farmers at the market, the POP Club kid consumers, and the surrounding local community. |
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