Fresh Produce at the Wayne County Senior Center

Travis Uzzell is selling veggies at the Wayne County Senior Center, and his produce is receiving high praise and much appreciation.

Check out the story on the Wayne Government site!    http://www.waynegov.com/waynegov/site/default.asp

Travis Uzzell at the Health Department Market

Kids day at the Farmers Market

Wayne County Public Library summer program kids at Health Department Farmers Market, July 2009

On Wed, a gaggle of students were running around at the farmers’ market in Goldsboro elbows deep in fresh fruits and vegetables.

While I was taking photos of the kids–who were interviewing farmers, taking photos of veggies, identifying parts of plants, and running a pretend farm stand of their own–I eve’s dropped, and heard astounding knowledge out of the mouths of babes: “That watermelon was just picked this morning but a grocery store watermelon could have been picked a week ago.  And they spray them with gas to make them ripe since they weren’t ripe yet when they picked them.  And here [at the farmers market] I get to talk right to the farmer who grew it.”  It was a sweet day.  See the full gallery of pictures of the event.

This event is keystone to what WFI is all about–connecting organizational efforts to create more opportunities for kids to access healthy, locally grown food.  CEFS has summer interns working on all aspects of the research farm, and one particularly who works with community groups in Goldsboro.  Laura Stroud coordinated the day by connecting two WFI partner’s good work.

Karen Padgett, with the County Health Department, organizes the Mini Mobile Farmer’s Market which works on two fronts: 1.) providing a market opportunity for local farmers to sell their produce and flowers while 2.) simultaneously making it simpler for employees at the health department, mothers and children clients on Wednesday, and ANY local residents to buy fresh, healthy, locally grown produce.

Shorlette Ammons-Stephens educates kids and provides hands on growing opportunities through her summer gardening program at the WCPL.

The Market is open every Wednesday mid-April through October from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Health Department parking lot on the corner of Lionel St. and Ash St.

CASTLES kids making chowchow

Usually the CASTLES “Seeds to Sales” kids are selling produce from their garden at the farmers market, but money is tight and they’ve not had enough support to make that happen this year.  They are growing, and making chow chow, but need money and volunteers to bring their program to it’s full potential!

Laura has also organized a fundraiser for the CASTLES K-4 gardening program.

Monday, July 27th,

from 11-2

at Pupetta’s Bar and Grill on Center St.

join us for lunch!! and support the good things that grow when you put children in a garden!

Pupetta’s will donate a portion of all proceeds to the CASTLES children’s current gardening and canning projects.