Recently we've been trying to visit the farmer's market on a more regular basis. It does take a bit more planning - getting the kids ready, going during specified hours, and perhaps the biggest challenge - knowing what I'll be preparing for meals in the coming days so that I can purchase accordingly . . . After all, its not like you can run over to the farmers market if you realize in the middle of dinner preparation that you need a certain ingredient.
Despite the challenges, we have found that there are some definite benefits to visiting the market, especially for our kids. They get to experience all the excitement of visiting each stall, looking at the fresh offerings, and even tasting them. By shopping the farmers market we have the opportunity to taste the freshest produce available, much of which has been picked either that morning or the day before. The market provides us with the opportunity to experiment by showing the kids the wider variety of produce than we'll typically see in the supermarket.

Aside from the variety and abundance of great tasting, fresh foods, the market allows us to support our local farmers. By buying direct, they definitely get a better profit for their work. And, as an added benefit, most of the produce found at the market is organically certified (or at least grown using organic methods but not certified).
On a recent visit, Grayson was intrigued by the box of various colored beans that he could run his hands through. He played in the box for a long time, looking at all the different types of beans, observing the different colors and speckles, even asking what each was called. He even chose his favorite 'colors' and placed a couple in his pockets. He pulled them in and out of his pocket for the rest of the day. This offered me a great opportunity to introduce him to different beans for meals.

Beans are a great food for kids and adults alike, and offer lots of opportunities for use, from appetizers to salads to main dishes. They're high in complex carbohydrates, protein and dietary fiber; low in fat, calories and sodium; and cholesterol free. (to learn more about beans and find recipes, visit www.americanbean.org).
The wonderful thing about visiting the market is if you have a question, there is always someone on hand to answer it - unlike many of the supermarkets. So, if you are wondering how to prepare a certain vegetable, or even help with a recipe, the vendor will be glad to share information with you.
I find a lot of my bean recipes in my collection of Molly Katzen cookbooks - she even has a great kids cookbook called Pretend Soup, but I find that Vegetable Heaven, The Moosewood Cookbook and the New Enchanted Broccoli Forest give me enough options to keep my kids (and us) happy.

I am confident that the 'bean' experience is just one of the many new experiences to come from visiting the farmer's market with my children. I am hoping that they'll become intrigued with green beans or tomatoes - two vegetables that I have a very hard time getting them to eat.

Until next time, enjoy Food, Family and Friends

Laura