At-School Youth Farmers Markets: Can Hands-on Experience Purchasing Fruit and Vegetables Grown on BIOAg Farms Influence Valuation of Local Farming and Family Shopping Habits? Progress Report

This FY24 BIOAg progress report describes an extension education project that tested whether a youth farmers market experience could influence children’s interest in local produce and encourage family shopping and eating changes. The team worked with 154 third, fourth, and fifth graders at Garfield Elementary School in Olympia. Students completed a short pre-activity in class, then participated in a Youth Farmers Market held in the school gym on October 17, 2024. Each student received a branded tote and $14 in tokens to “purchase” local, in-season produce sourced through the Southwest Washington Food Hub, with support from agriculture faculty and students from The Evergreen State College. Follow-up classroom activities on October 24 included an apple taste test and discussion. The project also hosted a booth at the Olympia Farmers Market on November 2, where 45 students received $15 in tokens to spend. Reported short-term outcomes included students trying new foods and many families eating or cooking the produce at home.