Published: August 22, 2008 11:37 am      

FARMERS' MARKET: Seeing green

Trying to squeeze in a weekly grocery shopping trip can be difficult for a parent with little ones on board. However, the Orleans County Farmers’ Market is offering a solution.

The market is holding its annual Kids’ Day, in which different vendors and local organizations will have booths set to up accompany the traditional vegetable stands with activities geared toward young children.

On Thursday, the market was held in the Medina Canal Basin, where various activities took place to pique the interest of young shoppers. According to organizer Anne Nice, the past two years the Kids’ Day was offered during October, but this year the market chose to move it to August in hopes more children, who will not be inside a classroom, would attend.

“We’ve dedicated these days to feature things for the children,” Nice explained.

The Medina Fire Department made a stop in Thursday to hand out brochures on fire safety and speak with the youngsters about fire prevention.

“Last year, we went during Fire Prevention Week, but this year we’ll still be on hand to answer questions, go over escape drills and offer a tour of the fire engine,” said firefighter Mike Maak.

The Medina market also featured an appearance by Katherine Cooper of the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. Cooper brought with her a selection of books for younger children, focused on animals, plants, farming and tractors.

“I have done similar readings in the past,” the librarian said. “The kids love to listen to the stories while their parents are shopping, so it works well for everybody.”

In addition, Joni Dix of Community Action and Diana Falconer were both present, offering entertainment for the young ones.

Trinity Farms of Lyndonville, which frequently hosts a booth at the market, had activities designed for the younger shoppers. Along with a coloring booth, Paula Simon, head of the Trinity Farm stand, had with her a number of her own children, who helped by selling some merchandise.

Local 4-H groups also had a booth set up. According to Guin Smith, an educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension, the market offers children the chance to learn about not only produce, but business skills

“We wanted to teach them some basic marketing skills,” Smith explained. “We’ve been doing a pizza garden with the kids, where we planted a garden in the shape of the pizza with vegetables traditionally used as pizza toppings. (Today) we’re here selling some of the excess veggies. Last year, we had gone to the farmers market a couple times, but this is the first year all the kids have gone.”

For those not in the Medina area, Kids’ Day will take place again from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Save-A-Lot parking lot in Albion. There, similar activities will take place, with appearances by the Albion Police Auxiliary, Community Action, Red Cross and others. There will also be a gift-basket giveaway.

Both markets will continue to run through Oct. 30. Each week, a variety of fresh, seasonal produce will be offered. For the end of the summer, specialty crops include peaches, blackberries, plums, nectarines, sweet corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, fresh herbs, potatoes and flowers.

The markets generally feature between four and five vendors weekly. For more information, contact Nice at 798-3986.

Contact editor Jessica Wasmund

at 798-1400, ext. 8225