Farmers Markets

Find Food, Fun and Community at a Farmers Market this Summer

WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE LAPORTE POTTS

What better way to revel in the bounty of a Montana summer than with a trip to the farmers market? They are vibrant community hubs, and a great place to go stock up on delicious local food for the week. Taking place in towns large and small, these weekly events are an opportunity for the whole family to get outside, meet your farmers, try some new foods, reconnect with neighbors and maybe even enjoy some local music or art. Take the whole family for a fun, tasty, uniquely-local outdoor experience.

Farmers Markets Around Montana

Farmers markets are a great way to get to know a place. If you’re traveling in Montana this summer, make sure to check out the markets along the way. You can learn about the community, taste local specialties and keep the whole family engaged and exploring (see tips below.)

There are a large number of farmers markets in Montana, with more being added each year. Abundant Montana is an online resource with information on where to find local food across Montana. Their list of markets across the state is available online at: www.abundantmontana.com/search/?type=farmers-market.

Kids at the Market

Farmers markets are a wonderful place to get the family outdoors, but the thought of bringing the whole gang out to the market may seem like a monumental task. Try some of these tips to keep kids of all ages engaged, learning and having fun.

• Let Kids Choose: Markets are a great opportunity for kids to try new things, express creativity and interest, and even learn budgeting and math skills. Let kids know at the beginning of your visit that everyone gets to choose a vegetable to purchase and bring home to try this week. You could also consider giving each child a budget or allowance, and letting them choose whatever they can within their budget. This gives kids an incentive to explore the market closely, and also helps them connect with their food and practice decision making. It also may encourage them (and you) to try something new that you, as the parent, might not have selected.

• Scavenger Hunt: Create a simple scavenger hunt for your family while at the market. Lists of different foods work well, or even different colors or shapes for younger children. Get creative and add silly things and see if your kids can find some version of them—maybe there really is a fish riding a bicycle somewhere at the market.

• Meet a Farmer: Before the market, talk with your kids about local producers and ask them if they have any questions they would like to ask a farmer. When you are there, support your kids in asking a farmer one of the questions they’ve prepared and see what you learn. (Most farmers at the market would love to answer your child’s questions!)

When you get home (or to your hotel, cabin or campsite), be sure to enjoy your farmers market bounty together. If you need some ideas for how to use all of those cherries or carrots that your kids picked out, Gallatin Valley Farm to School has recipes featuring local produce available at www.gvfarmtoschool.org/blog .

Cheers to a tasty and bountiful Montana summer!

Stephanie Laporte Potts is the Executive Director of Gallatin Valley Farm to School, a Bozeman-based nonprofit that connects kids and families to local food in the garden, cafeteria, classroom and community. She’s an amateur cook, avid naturalist, enthusiastic home gardener and proud (but tired) mother of an 8- month-old.