Power of Produce program coming to farmers market in Worthington

The University of Minnesota Extension and the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) are introducing a new, free program at Bill & Oi’s Farmers Market -- The Power of Produce (or, POP) Club for Kids and POP Plus for Seniors.

Launched initially at the Oregon City Farmers Market in 2011, the POP Club has since expanded to markets nationwide. In Minnesota, it has been thriving since 2014 and continues to grow in popularity statewide.

The POP Club is designed to encourage children to make healthy food choices by engaging them directly in the farmer's market experience. Children ages 4 to 12 are invited to participate. Upon registration, each child will receive a free reusable shopping bag and $3 in market tokens at each market visit. These tokens can be used exclusively by kids to purchase fresh, locally grown produce.

Children may spend their tokens during the same visit or save them for future market days. With POP for seniors, they receive $4 in tokens.

Bill & Oi’s Farmers Market is hosted from 6 a.m. to noon Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays at 230 Clary St., Worthington. The market will be open for the first time this Saturday and operate through October.

Registration and check-in will be available at the designated POP Club desk located at the farmer’s market. EBT, Market Bucks and Produce Bucks are also accepted at the market. For more information, contact Leticia Rodriguez at (507) 202-7573 or (507) 295-5318.