Kids can learn about nutrition at Farmers' Market in T.O.
Children encouraged to ask questions

Children are back in school, which means busier schedules, eating on the run and time for parents to start packing lunches.

The Ventura County Farmers' Market invites children to learn how to eat healthier and be part of the decision-making when it comes to family meals.

"One of our goals is to educate the family as a whole about good nutrition," said Karen Wetzel Schott, operations manager for the Ventura County Farmers' Market. "We invite families and schoolchildren to come to the market, sample the items and talk to the many farmers who grow the food."

Personal chef and food consultant Heidi Rae Weinstein believes it's very important to get the American family back to the dinner table and teach kids good eating habits.

"There are many behaviors that keep people from getting together at dinner, which is creating poor eating habits within families," Weinstein said.

"People are overbooked, overscheduled and are not putting a priority on mealtime," she said.

"I believe it's time to get back to basics and encourage families to make meal planning fun by utilizing the farmers' markets, devel

oping market lists, creating menus and learning the benefits of purchasing fresh foods.

Weinstein, who recently led a group of third-graders from Sycamore Canyon Elementary School on a field trip to the Thousand Oaks Certified Farmers' Market, believes that children are genuinely interested in nutrition.

"The students were truly eager to learn as much as they could and enjoyed interacting with the farmers as well as trying out the many new foods," she said.

The Thousand Oaks market operates from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at The Oaks shopping center in the east end parking lot between Wilbur Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

The same organization operates three other Farmers' Markets in Ventura County.

All four markets are open year-round, rain or shine, with the exception of Thousand Oaks, which is closed during the Christmas holiday season.

The Ventura County Farmers' Market offers regular tours to school groups and organizations. To arrange a tour, call the Ventura County Certified Farmers' Market at (805) 529-6266. For general information, visit the website at www.vccfarmersmarket.com.