Let your little sprouts pick their own sprouts at the first-ever Children’s Day at Loveland Farmers Market, scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday at Fairgrounds Park.

“It’s really just to inspire, motivate and encourage kids to eat a little healthier,” Kerry Helke, the town’s senior recreation coordinator, said of the idea behind the event. “We want to try to make it fun to be at the Market and fun to have vegetables.”

Like the products, there will be several varieties of fun to choose from on Sunday, including a scavenger hunt, a coloring contest and the town’s mobile game trailer, complete with equipment for games and sports. There will also be a makeup artist and staff will hand out “fun” snack recipes.

A representative from the Loveland Public Library will also be on hand for a fruit and vegetable-themed story hour, as well as a bingo game at the farmers’ market.

“You search all the fruits and vegetables and then report to earn a little bookmark,” Keleigh Bramwell, the library’s children’s outreach coordinator, said of the game.

Loveland Youth Gardeners is also a scheduled vendor this week, while other vendors will be offering special offers aimed at children.

“We also want to try to encourage new people to try the Farmers Market,” Helke said. “I think there’s kind of a stigma or maybe a fear of coming to market for the first time for people. They think it’s too expensive or they’re not comfortable with the environment. But we’re running around in shorts and t-shirts, and that’s just a welcome thing for everyone.

Helke also wants to encourage families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to visit the farmers market and take advantage of Double Up Food Bucks, a program that matches their purchase of produce up to $20. .

“It’s a grant from the state of Colorado, and it’s free to the buyer,” she said. “So if they come into the market, it’s literally like we’re giving them $20.”

Helke said market visitors can expect to find great selections of cherries and peaches this weekend, as the fruit peaks in mid-summer. There will also be a great selection of market favourites, such as tomatoes, peppers and green beans.

A visit to this weekend’s Farmer’s Market is also worth a stamp in the 2022 Kids to Parks Adventure Book, a family activity booklet released by Parks and Recreation in May.

For more information on the Loveland Farmers Market and an overview of the vendor list, visit Loveland Parks and Recreation.