News
June 15, 20154 Grand Openings to Kick Off Farm to Preschool: Bringing Fresh, Local Fruits and Veggies to Young Children
Albany, NY – The Capital District Child Care Council, in partnership with Eat Smart NY and Eat Well Play Hard, announces the grand openings of FOUR Farm to Preschool Markets throughout the community. The program aims to increase access to locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables for families in the Capital Region. The Farm to Preschool Market offers a comfortable, easily accessible location for children and families to learn about and sample fresh fruits and vegetables directly from local farmers. The program also helps educators explore the link between growing your own food and trying new fruits and vegetables through child care gardening. These lessons extend to the on-site farmers’ market.
Once a week at each site, beginning Monday, June 15, children, parents, child care staff and community members can stop by and purchase farm fresh fruits and vegetables. “Eating habits are formed in early life and Farm to Preschool helps children learn about choosing foods that are good for the body, where their foods come from – even meet and speak to the farmer! — and allows them to sample and explore different fruits and vegetables,” said Darlene Yule, MPH, ATC, Community Health and Development Director at the Child Care Council. “By placing the Markets right outside the door of the child care program, it’s easy for busy parents to have access to healthier choices.”
Additionally, the Markets will play host to fun, child- friendly activities, games, food and recipe demonstrations and more. The Markets are open to the general public. Cash, WIC F/V and WIC FMNP vouchers, SNAP( EBT) cards, Fresh Connect coupons and Debit or Credit Cards are accepted. Learn more about Farm to Preschool by visiting www.cdcccc.org.
WHO: Children, child care staff, parents, and community members visiting the Farm to Preschool Markets
WHAT: Grand openings of FOUR Farm to Preschool Markets in the community
WHEN/WHERE: Cohoes Community Center, 22-40 Remsen Street, Cohoes; Mondays starting June 15, 2:30 – 5:30 PM
YWCA NENY, 44 Washington Ave, Schenectady; Tuesdays starting June 16, 2:30 – 5:30 PM
CEO Lansingburgh Family Resource Center, 754 4th Avenue, Lansingburgh; Wednesdays starting June 17, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Parsons Early Learning Center, 125 Bigelow Ave, Schenectady; Thursdays starting June 18, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
VISUALS: Children sampling new foods, recipe tastings and demonstrations, physical activity games for children, adults purchasing produce from the farmer.
