MORRISTOWN – Even the pickiest eaters can be inspired to fill their plate with more fruits and vegetables when they are exposed to opportunities to learn how to prepare farm-fresh local produce themselves, and when given the freedom to shop for produce themselves at their very own farmer’s market.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance and Education Program (SNAP-Ed NY) introduced an interactive opportunity to their workshop offerings called “Market Sprouts” incorporating nutrition, cooking, and a farmer’s market shopping experience that allows kids to select ingredients to recreate recipes at home with their families.

SNAP-Ed NY of the North Country, the Morristown Central School District, Martin’s Farm Stand, and Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County collaborated to bring Market Sprouts to life for elementary and middle school aged children at the Morristown Elementary School this summer. The students learned about the importance of eating a variety of foods that will nourish their bodies and provide them with energy, discussed how local food is grown, and prepared healthy recipes during each lesson. SNAP-Ed Nutritionists introduced many familiar and some new fruits and vegetables, discussed the health benefits, and shared culinary tips about each recipe. Safe knife practices and other cooking skills were developed as recipes included ingredients from every food group. 

The program culminated when their classroom was suddenly transformed into a Market Sprouts farmer’s market stocked with the produce donated from Martin’s Farm Stand (Potsdam) including juicy peaches, fresh tomatoes, peppers, onions, and more. Students each received a budget of $10 Market Sprouts Bucks they could “spend” at the market to purchase produce. By this time, the students had experienced cooking with the produce and had recipes to take home to recreate with their families using their market selections.

“I was overwhelmed by the excitement from these kids when they got to pick out their own produce to take home! They were very eager to recreate the recipes they learned at home with their families. It was a small, but impactful, way to bring a little farm to table for these students,” shared Kristy Coyle, SNAP-Ed NY Nutrition Educator.

Students also received information about SNAP, SNAP-Ed, local farmer’s markets, and received a copy of St. Lawrence County Local Food Guide produced by St. Lawrence County GardenShare.

If you are interested in learning more about SNAP-Ed NY in the North Country, contact us at 315-379-9192 or email cgc58@cornell.edu. You can also find recipes and tips to save time, save money, and eat healthy at www.snapedny.org.

SNAP-Ed is funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. For more information call Cornell Cooperative Extension St. Lawrence County at 315-379-9192 or visit the SNAP-Ed NY website at www.snapedny.org.