Power of Produce (POP)
About
The Power of Produce (POP) program has stood out as having the potential to impact farmers market accessibility on a broad scale. POP started in May 2011 at the Oregon City Farmers Market in Oregon City, Oregon. It was created by the market manager, Jackie Hammond-Williams in response to a grant offered by Clackamas County, Oregon for programs that improve the community’s health. The POP Club brought together families and farmers around fresh produce at farmers markets.
FoodChain began offering the Power of Produce kids club (POP) in the summer of 2017 at the Lexington Farmers Market as a program of the Fayette County Farm to School Coalition. The Power of Produce club goals are:
- Improve eating behavior of children.
- Increase family attendance at the Farmers Market.
- Increase customer base and revenue for vendors.
- Build healthy, prospering communities.
Empowering Youth
The POP club empowers youth to make healthy food choices by increasing their knowledge of seasonal fruits and veggies through interactive games and taste tests. Each week that kids participate, they receive a $5.00 voucher to be redeemed with vendors in the market to purchase a fruit or veggie of their choosing.
The program runs for 10 weeks, beginning in June and going into early August, and takes place at the Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday locations of the Lexington Farmers Market.
There is power in cultivating active participation in the local food system with youth and our farmers, planting the seeds for a more sustainable, just, and equitable food system!
2021 POP Club by the Numbers!
Number of Youth Participants
Dollars to Farmers through POP Club Vouchers
Different Farmers Supported
Youth Participating for the First Time!
POP Club Newsletters
POP Newsletter 2021
POP Newsletter 2019
POP Newsletter 2018
