Kids host their own farmers markets

KUSA - Denver students are busy this summer selling vegetables from gardens they planned and planted this year.

Denver Youth Farmers' Market Coalition

Market Schedule: Steele- 320 S Marion Pkwy Starting July 13th, ending September 21 Fridays 5-7

Fairmont – 520 W 3rd Ave Starting July 14, ending September 22 Saturdays 2-4 September 28, Harvest Festival

Fairview – 2715 West 11th Ave. Starting July 1, ending September 30 Sundays 1-4 August 26, Harvest Festival

The Denver Youth Farmers' Market Coalition consists of programs/markets at Steele, Fairmont and Fairview Elementary Schools. In addition to selling produce that they grow on site by participating students, additional Colorado produce will be sold in order to provide a neighborhood source for fresh food and to develop a community spirit.

In addition, the schools will have cooking, nutrition and other demonstrations in order to increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Garden Program:

1. Gardens are all planted and being tended for in the three schools. Fairmont and Fairview have started their summer market programs with elementary school children, including gardening and business training. Steele is working with children and parents who volunteer weekly in order to run the market.

2. The gardening program at Steele extends into the fall and will begin again in the early spring. It includes the full season of gardening, starting seeds in the classroom and cooking classes throughout the year. The garden program at Fairmont culminates in community harvest festivals in September. The program at Fairview (nutrition/gardening) goes on year-round & doesn't end with the harvest festival. We have weekly classroom and garden lessons (depending upon the seasons) to promote a long-term change in eating behavior relating to fruits, veggies, whole grains and low fat/sugar choices & the youth start all the transplants for the garden in the school beginning in January.

Events:

Fairmont: July 19 - Cooking in the garden with Elizabeth Yarnell August 11 – papermaking August 25 – Bike repair September 8 – knitters circle Ongoing – garden tours by students Fairview July 1-Cooking Demonstration with chefs from Les Dames D'Escoffier Nutrition Q&A September celebration

Steele August 3 - Music from The Mighty Conchords Andy demonstrates vegetable grilling August 10 - Master composter demonstration August 17 - Nutrition Q&A