2025 Impact Highlight
Boulder County, Front Range Region
Increasing Access to Fresh, Local Food for Boulder County Families
The Boulder County Farm to Early Care and Education (Farm to ECE) program works to increase access to and consumption of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables for young children and their families in Colorado. Many Boulder County families do not have access to fresh produce, and according to the Public Health Department, 93% of Boulder County children do not meet their daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables.
CSU Extension Boulder County, Boulder County Public Health, and Boulder County Farmers Markets worked collaboratively to host three Family Days at the Wednesday evening markets throughout the summer. Families with a child in Farm to ECE or who are enrolled in WIC were eligible to receive ten ‘market bucks’ to spend at the market.
Children also received free books from the Boulder Public Library and were invited to participate in a scavenger hunt designed to help families to engage with the producers, artists, and environment of the market.
While only some families were eligible to receive market bucks, any child at the market was invited to pick out books to take home and participate in the scavenger hunt for a small prize. Through the scavenger hunt, children were encouraged to find new vegetables, start conversations with farmers, and use their senses to explore the market. Exposure to vegetables at a young age is key to increasing vegetable consumption for children.
Three family market days were hosted between June and September, targeting peak growing season for the region. A total of $425 was distributed to 42 families and preschool programs, and Boulder Extension engaged with 212 community members. Many families and one preschool classroom engaged in multiple Family Days throughout the summer.
This program increased access to fresh produce for low-income families through direct monetary support while also creating a positive experience for children and their families to learn about fresh, seasonal produce and engage with local producers.