Goodview Farmers Market's "Power of Produce" program gives kids tokens to buy vegetables

The program, called “POP”, gives kids who are 3 years and older a token each time they visit the market. That token is worth up to $2 in fresh vegetables.

The Goodview Farmers Market is in full swing, and this year it’s seen an influx of young shoppers thanks to the "Power of Produce" program, which began in May.

The program, called “POP,” gives kids who are 3 years and older a token each time they visit the market. That token is good for up to $2 in fresh vegetables from any vendor at the market.

Since the program started this year, nearly 300 kids signed up and received free tokens and reusable bags.

"The goal is to encourage healthy eating," organizer Shannon Randall said. "It’s all positive things."

The program is funded by donations from community members and local businesses.

"We’re really grateful for the support," Laturno said. "It's been amazing to see how many people care about the kids in our community and want to see them succeed."

At first, kids were shy to use their tokens and preferred to follow their parents around, but now they're quickly picking out their favorite vegetables and heading straight to the vendors.

"They're making healthy choices and learning about different foods in a fun way," said Pam Zimmerman, whose son Graysen and daughter Aviana Zimmerman both enjoy the program.

With a bag full of sugar snap peas in hand, 2-year-old Graysen ran past vegetable vendors at the Goodview Farmers Market on Thursday afternoon. He left a trail of peas behind him — his plastic bag had a hole in it.

"Oh shoot, peas are falling out," his mom exclaimed, running behind him.

He turned, realized he’d lost peas and stopped to let his mom push them back into his bag — but not before snatching a couple and shoving them in his mouth.

Graysen and his sister, Aviana Zimmerman, are just two of the kids who have been benefitting from the Goodview Farmers Market's "Power of Produce" program. The program, called "POP," gives kids who are 3 years and older a token each time they visit the market. That token is good for up to $2 in fresh vegetables.

Since the program started this year, nearly 300 kids signed up and received free tokens and reusable bags. Thankfully for Graysen, his sister likes to share, and because of that he's found his new favorite treat: sugar snap peas.

When asked if he’d share a pea with a hungry reporter, he clutched his bag of peas tighter and shook his head no.

"They love coming down (to the farmers market)," Pam said.

Although they eat plenty of vegetables at home, Pam said the program has really allowed them the freedom to try new things.

"It's a great way to get them involved with choosing their own produce. They're more likely to eat it if they choose it."

And that’s exactly what Emily Conner's daughter does. Conner — another POP organizer — said her daughter is excited every time they come to the market because she loves green beans and can buy them herself.

"She buys about a pound of green beans and they're gone by the time she gets home," Conners laughed.

Around the farmers market on Thursday, about half the attendees were children and nearly all of them had a green reusable bag in their hand — some overflowed with kale, while others hid their secret vegetable treasure inside.