At one of our favorite farmers’ markets this season, kids got a “Wedge Veg Passport.” Little food explorers drew pictures of the fruit or vegetable of the week, then visited the featured farmer for a sample. Then back to the market manager’s table for a passport stamp. Art, food, fun.
Copyright protected by Digiprove © 2010 Christina Le Beau
Awesome. I think every kid should have a food passport. I love that the kids draw a picture and the market manager stamps it.
We made something similar for little E when she was younger that involved stickers. We were planning a trip in Spain and France and there were a lot of foods that were completely new to her. She gets a bit apprehensive of new foods sometimes, and the passport made it fun to try it all. It’s her “Food Explorer Passport” and it makes travel and new foods a lot of fun! I love the sense of accomplishment. (http://tinyurl.com/foodexplorer)
Yay to the market manager for engaging kids in the story of where their food comes from and for encouraging conversations between the farmers and the youngest shoppers.
April, I’m so glad you mentioned your passport! I remember reading that story when it first came out, and just loving the idea. (Also love the earth-as-plate sticker.) Does E still use it in her travels?
I just had this conversation with my husband the other day — we were talking about the whole toys in fast food issue. And I said, “Why don’t they make a truly GOOD healthy menu, then have a passport-style sticker book or something like that…every time the kid orders something that’s actually healthy, they get a sticker, and when they have x number of stickers to fill their book, they get a free healthy meal?” I love ideas like this that actually SUPPORT parents in trying to get their kids psyched about eating veggies.
Oh my goodness – that’s perfect! I will make a fruit/veg passport!
That is so cool!
This is the best idea ever. I would love to come up with something like this for my homeschooler.
This is a great idea and one that could be used to teach children about healthy foods in so many environments: farmer’s market, store tours, class, farms, etc. It brings in so many elements that kids enjoy and shares wonderful lessons.
I’m so glad you showed off the passport. I can’t wait to implement it too!
My kids love this and get quite upset when I forget to bring our passports to the market! I think it’s been a great way for them to start thinking like they are active decision makers in their food choices.