Kids embrace healthy food options at farmer's market

LEWIS COUNTY, W.Va (WDTV) - In an effort to encourage children to eat healthy, the Lewis County Family Resource Network and the Lewis-Upshur Parents as Teachers program held a pop-up farmer's market Wednesday.

The farmer's market was held in the Lewis County Park, open to families with kids under the age of five.

As part of the WV Kids Koupon Project, children received a $4 Kids Koupon to purchase fruits, vegetables, or herbs from a local farmer.

"It gives kids a sense of independence, because when they are able to choose their own foods, they're more likely to eat it," said Shannon Ackerman, youth health educator with the WV Family Nutrition Program.

Nutrition professionals suggest parents expose their children to a wide array of healthy options, and then give them the opportunity to choose what they want.

"I heard that it was a farmer's market for kids and I didn't know what to expect, and so I didn't know how well my kids would take to it, but my older son absolutely loved it," said Jamie Church, who described the experience as a wonderful way to start the day.

Many of the families that participated are a part of the Parents as Teachers program, which is focused on ensuring parents are the first and foremost educator for their children. You can hear more about the organization in the video above.

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