CLAREMONT — Children in the Upper Valley area can get a taste of local fruits and vegetables this summer — plus their very own money to spend on fresh, local produce — with Power of Produce (POP) Clubs happening weekly at area farmers’ markets and farm stands, including in Claremont, Plainfield, Newport and New London.
Power of Produce Clubs are simple, fun and free. Families can sign up at the POP table and start the day’s activity — a farmers’ market scavenger hunt, a vegetable quiz, an art project or another produce-related activity. Once they complete the activity, they return to the POP table to receive their POP Bucks: market money just for kids to spend on fruits and vegetables at the market. Children ages 5-12 can participate once or all summer at these Upper Valley locations in New Hampshire: Claremont Farmers’ Market, Claremont, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Edgewater Farmstand, Plainfield, Wednesdays, 3-5 p.m.; Newport Farmers’ Market, Newport, Fridays, 3-6 p.m.; Beaver Pond Farm Stand, Newport, day and time to be determined; Spring Ledge Farm Stand, New London, Tuesdays, 3-6 p.m.; Hanover Farmers’ Market, Hanover, Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m.; Lebanon Farmers’ Market, Lebanon, Thursdays, 4-7 p.m.; Canaan Farmers and Artisans’ Market, Canaan, Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Wilmot Farmers’ Market, Wilmot, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
The following Vermont locations will also offer the POP program: Chelsea Farmers’ Market, Chelsea, Fridays, 3-6 p.m.; Norwich Farmers’ Market, Norwich, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Hartland Farmers’ Market, Hartland, Fridays, 4-7 p.m.; Royalton Farmers’ Market, South Royalton, Thursdays, 3-6 p.m.; and Greater Falls Farmers’ Market, Bellows Falls, Fridays, 3-7 p.m.
Families with SNAP benefits can use them at farmers’ markets, and in some cases even double them with Granite State Market Match. Newport Farmers’ Market will double SNAP benefits; Edgewater Farmstand will accept SNAP EBT cards once they receive final approval from the State. The Hartland Farmers’ Market in Vermont also offers a POP Club and will double SNAP benefits with Crop Cash.
Vital Communities is supporting POP Clubs at New Hampshire markets this summer and fall as part of an effort to increase produce sales by New Hampshire fruit and vegetable farmers. Farmers’ markets are an important sales point for Upper Valley produce farms; customers can get to know farm vendors, ask questions about their products and taste and buy the freshest possible foods for their families, all according to a press release.
Vital Communities is supporting POP Clubs at Edgewater Farmstand in Plainfield, and the Newport Farmers’ Market in Newport, with funding from the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food, HNH Foundation and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
Vital Communities, a nonprofit organization based in White River Junction, Vermont, brings together citizens, organizations, and municipalities to take on issues where an independent voice and regional approach are essential.
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