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Old Capitol Farmers Market POP Club

Every Saturday the Old Capitol Farmers Market is creating fun and memorable experiences for kids, using the power of produce! The Old Capitol Farmers Market presented by HSHS St. John’s Hospital believes in bringing education and nutrition to children to spark a lifelong relationship with wholesome, local food.

That spark is the Power of Produce (POP) Club bringing educational activities to children at the market, made possible by Bank of Springfield and Women for Women The POP Club is supported by a partnership with the Farmer’s Market Coalition, which offers these free activities for kids ages 4-12. 

The POP Club provides opportunities for children to engage in the local food system through educational activities, conversations with vendors, and live demonstrations. These weekly activities help kids learn where their food comes from and broaden their tastes for new fruits and vegetables. As a reward for completing the activity, your child will receive a $2 market token! The tokens can be spent like cash at the market and can be saved to help practice spending and responsibility. 

A nationwide program initially piloted in Oregon City, OR in 2011, POP Club made its debut at the Old Capitol Farmers Market in May 2021. Some of the activities enjoyed so far:

  • exploring the market with scavenger hunts, 
  • planting veggies and herbs provided by the Lincoln Library Seed Library, 
  • and making homemade butter using mason jars. 
  • On National Farmers Market Week, kids colored “Thank You” cards to give to their favorite vendor. 

The Old Capitol Farmers Market community provides more than food for your family! You won’t want to miss out on these last few activities we have before the season closes out! For the remaining three Saturday market days, you can expect:

Sat. 10/16: Pumpkin whipped cream

Sat. 10/23: Designing market tote bags

Sat. 10/30: Pumpkin painting

Though the market season is coming to a close (Holiday and Winter Market info coming soon!), it’s never too late to sign up for POP Club and spark the passion for local food in your littles. Bring your kids, your grandkids, and tell your friends – the farmers market is  more fun than your regular grocery store. 

You can find the POP Club at the blue HSHS St. John’s tent on the corner of 4th and Adams every Saturday.