Having two small active kids who are happily prone to drinking water and low-fat milk 99% of the time and who also love to eat nutritious foods (not quite like their mom), I was particularly excited to celebrate opening day of the USDA Farmers Market.
After all, I work at USDA and thought what better way to share the importance of what my agency does than by visiting the People’s Garden with my 4 year old son – just after finishing up his last day of school. Together, we enjoyed a selection of fun activities as part of a half day long event that shared with visitors the importance of eating the right foods and exercising more.
While Bronson has a small family garden at home, he had never seen one grown in the back of a truck, which was on full display at the corner of Jefferson Drive and 12th Street that day. Through his amazement and curiosity, he fully explored all corners of the DC Truck Farm.
He then made his way through the walking paths of the garden. Along the way, he stopped to make his own seed tape – where he pasted radish seeds on a strip of newspaper to take home and plant later. This activity is an easy and fun way to teach kids about seed spacing. He learned, unlike other living things, plants can’t walk to find the space they need to live and thrive.
Next, there was a bit of ‘edutainment’ with Hip Hop Public Health, Inc. who use music to get our kids up, moving, and having fun! Bronson was exercising and dancing to Beyonce on USDA’s lawn. To my surprise, he could actually hula hoop!
Also lined up for the day was a tour of the Farmers Market with tables full of healthy organic foods, veggies, fruits, and cool give-a-ways for families to take some learning materials home. And last but not least, NFL Washington Redskins player Reed Doughty #37 and Redskins cheerleaders were there to visit as part of the NFL’s Fuel Up to Play 60, to talk about their physical careers and the importance of being fit and taking care of your body.
“This was the best day ever”, exclaimed Bronson as we finally wrapped up the day. Through these kinds of teaching and memorable experiences, kids and families will surely have all the right ingredients they need to Grow Healthy, Eat Healthy & Be Healthy!
