New Kids Activities Kick Off At Falls Church Farmers Market

From The Jr. League of Northern VA: The Junior League of Northern Virginia and the City of Falls Church are teaming up to bring Market Explorers, an interactive nutrition education program, to the Falls Church Farmers Market starting Saturday, October 14. Through the Market Explorers program children have the opportunity to learn more about where their food comes from and how eating locally grown food contributes to a healthy lifestyle. The Market Explorers program at the Falls Church Farmers Market will occur on the third Saturday of each month through May 2018.

Market Explorers is a program developed by the Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV) as a part of a larger effort to combat childhood obesity. The Market Explorers program at local farmers markets introduces children to where their food comes from through engaging activities such as market tours and scavenger hunts, physical activity and healthy snack preparation.

During a typical Market Explorers event, JLNV volunteers take kids on tours of the farmers market, leading them through a sequence of stations at vendors’ booths. At some booths, the children do simple exercises like squats, lunges and running in place. At other stations, volunteers engage in a dialogue with the kids about making healthy eating choices.

“We’re here to educate the kids about proper nutrition, but we’re also here to have fun with them, get them excited about cooking and encourage them to get involved in the process at home,” said JLNV Community Council Director Hayley Smith.

At the end of the farmers market tour, the kids make a healthy snack, like “Berry Awesome Dippers” — a simple dip for whole-grain tortilla chips made by mixing blueberries, strawberries, agave, lime juice and Greek yogurt.

“The City of Falls Church is excited to work with the Junior League of Northern Virginia to provide this
exciting program that will help teach children more about living a healthy lifestyle and gaining an
appreciation for eating locally grown fruit and vegetables,” said Falls Church Farmers Market Manager
Howard Herman.

The JLNV is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of
women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. For
nearly 60 years, the JLNV has provided hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours and more than $2
million to implement more than 25 community programs in Northern Virginia, including the city of Falls
Church, and the counties of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William.
The Falls Church Farmers Market is held Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 300 Park Avenue in Falls
Church.

Image Via Pixabay