Fun at the Farmers’ Market

May 18, 2022 Children
Fun at the

Farmers’ Market

A trip to the local farmers’ market is a fun family activity that can be exciting for young children. With a festival atmosphere, kids will enjoy the sights, smells, colors, crafts and music that are often a part of the market.

Benefits

Choosing locally grown food for your family can benefit your health, the environment and the local economy. Fresh farm produce is loaded with nutrients. Best of all, freshly harvested fruits, vegetables and herbs are bursting with flavor!

Finding a Market

New farmers markets are sprouting up everywhere. From cities to small towns, just about everyone has access to a market for at least part of the year. To locate a market where you live, visit www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/farmersmarkets.

learning

Before you Go

Consider reading to your children about farmers’ markets. These books will help your children learn more about vegetables and how they are grown.

  • Up, Down, and Around Candlewick Press. Ayres, K. (2007)
  • Growing Vegetable Soup Voyager Books. Ehlert, L. (1990)
  • Tops & Bottoms Harcourt Brace & Co. Stevens, J. (1995)

AT THE MARKET

You can make the most out of your purchase by looking around and visiting several vendors before you decide what to buy. For instance, buying smaller amounts of several items can help prevent food waste once you get home.

Engage your little ones by looking for different colors, shapes, sizes and flavors.

dad-at-market
Here are a few games you can play as you walk around the market:o
  • Go on a scavenger hunt, asking your children to find foods that are red, green, orange, long, round, sweet or that grow above or below the ground.
  • Ask your children to find foods that are new and different such as blue potatoes, red carrots or long white radishes.
  • Play “I spy”. Ask them to guess an item that you spot by describing the color, shape and taste.
  • Challenge your children to find a rainbow at the market, including foods that are yellow, orange, red, blue, purple, green and white.

At the SPRING Market

You’ll find cool weather vegetables such as:
  • ✓ Kale
  • ✓ Asparagus
  • ✓ Spinach
  • ✓ Beets
  • ✓ Arugula
  • ✓ Parsley
  • ✓ Cauliflower
  • ✓ Lettuce
  • ✓ Broccoli
  • ✓ New potatoes
  • ✓ Radishes
  • ✓ Artichokes
  • ✓ Carrots (and other root vegetables)
  • ✓ Chives
  • ✓ Snap peas
  • ✓ Spring onions (also called scallions or green onions)
  • ✓ Chard
Depending on where you live, you may see fruits such as:
  • ✓ Grapefruit
  • ✓ Strawberries
  • ✓ Rhubarb
  • ✓ Cherries
  • ✓ Lemons
  • ✓ Kiwifruit
  • ✓ Navel oranges
  • ✓ Apricots

The ‘I’m a WIC Client’ button now directs to Nutrition and Breastfeeding, the content offered on the site has not changed.

Side Lying Hold

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Cross Cradle Hold

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football Hold

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Breastfeeding Holds

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Breastfeeding Holds

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position