Peters Twp. Farmers Market offers Healthy Eating Series
Nathan and Amelia Thomas enjoy a snack during the Peters Township Farmers Market at St. David’s Episcopal Church.
Kevin Kern of Kern Farms displays a healthy helping of kale at the farmers market.
Members of the South Hills Chidlren’s Choir perform at the Peters Township Farmers Market.
Jennie Nolan, founder and artistic director of the South Hills Children’s Choir, leads a song during the group’s June 1 performance at the Peters Township Farmers Market.
Patti Reavel, left, plays keyboards for the South Hills Children’s Choir while Dianthe Livanos assists.
Santiago, left, and Alex Rodriguez enjoy some ice cream with their mother, Denise, during the Peters Township Farmers Market.
Anna Grace Palmieri enjoys her visit to the Peters Township Farmers Market.
Ava Palmieri enjoys her visit to the Peters Township Farmers Market.
Organizers of the Peters Township Farmers Market are starting a series of programs in conjunction with the weekly market that they hope will teach kids, and their parents, about the origins of their food.
“The mothers on our board are passionate about teaching healthy eating, and we asked ourselves how can we take it to the next level,” Seashal Belldina, a board member of the farmers market, explained about the Healthy Eating Series.
As part of the program, market organizers have scheduled farm tours for children who are accompanied by an adult. Tours are scheduled for June 25 at Hillside Goat Dairy in Eighty Four and July 16 at Logan Family Farms in Irwin.
Additional information on the farm tours is available at the market’s information booth.
In addition to the farm tours, nutrition experts are at the market to conduct activities for kids geared toward healthy eating. For example, Pittsburgh Farm to Table and Pathways to Smartcare Wellness will be doing a local food challenge on buying local and eating fresh produce.
Also, Lindsey Schmidt, a registered dietitian from the Upper St. Clair Community and Recreation Center, is scheduled to make a presentation on healthy eating habits.
“Over the past two years, the Peters Township Farmers Market has grown and flourished,” said the Rev. Kris McInnes of St. David’s Episcopal Church, which hosts the market from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays.
“It is a pleasure to be part of bringing the market to this community each year,” he said. “With it, we are able to bring great food and products to our residents while fostering deeper relationships both with one another and with those who produce our food.”
The market runs weekly through Nov. 23. Belldina said the board extended it to that date at the request of both its venders and customers. During the previous two years, the market closed in October.
The market has 33 full-time vendors, plus six that rotate in and out each week, offering an array of products including farm eggs, fresh meat and chicken, juice, pet treats, wine, fresh vegetables and handmade jewelry. There also are food trucks for people who might want to eat dinner at the market. New vendoers this year include Sunnybridge Natural Foods and DeLuca’s Freeze Dried Pet Products, both from Peters Township; Little City Coffee of Monongahela; Running OM Green of Finleyville; and Avant Gardens of Ohio.
For more information, visit www.peterstownshipfarmersmarket.org.