After considerable disruption created by the COVID-19 crisis over the past two school years, Yolo Food Bank is elated and inspired by the return of the “traditional” on-campus and hands-on Kids Farmers‘ Market model of free, fresh produce access and nutrition education for the 2021-2022 school year!  Due to the escalated demand for food assistance throughout the community, Kids Farmers‘ Market now is offered at more school sites than ever before, and in every school district serving Yolo County children and their families.  Approximately 1,390 households are being served, with 8,160 pounds of mostly locally-grown fruits and vegetables every month.

 

At least twice-monthly, students are guided after-school to learn about, sample, and select their own produce and other local farm products, using play money to simultaneously provide insight into the economic value of food and its impact upon the food system.  While nearly 70% or more of households at these school sites qualify for free or reduced-price meals, all students are invited to participate in Kids Farmers‘ Market, ensuring an atmosphere of dignity.  Children return home from school with more than 12 pounds of healthy food to cook with their families, nourishing all members of these often multi-generational households, and setting the stage for a more food secure future for Yolo County’s next generation.

 

As of Fall 2021, Yolo Food Bank’s Kids Farmers‘ Market has a consistent presence on the following school campuses: 

Washington Unified School District, West Sacramento

• Elkhorn Village Elementary School
• Riverbank Elementary School
• Westfield Elementary School

• Woodland Joint Unified School District
  

• Dingle Elementary School
• Prairie Elementary School
• Whitehead Elementary School
• Yolo County YMCA (College Street)
• YMCA (Lemon Avenue)
  
  
• Davis Joint Unified School District
  
  
• Korematsu Elementary School
• Birch Lane Elementary School
• Marguerite Montgomery Elementary School

  Winters Joint Unified School District
  

• YMCA 

  Esparto Unified School District 

• Esparto Elementary School