Ever tried convincing a child to eat a tomato instead of a cookie? The Ferguson Farmers’ Market has a clever approach. It’s called Tiny Sprouts, a free program for children ages 3–12 that turns healthy eating into a game. Armed with a passport, young shoppers complete activities throughout the market, collect stamps, earn prizes, and—after completing their first passport—receive a $2 weekly allowance to spend on fresh fruits, vegetables, and other farm-fresh goods.
Discover fun things to do with the family
Subscribe to the St. Louis Family newsletter for family-friendly things to do and news for local parents, sent every Monday and Thursday.
“It’s really interesting to watch,” says Alexandria Taylor, recreation supervisor for the City of Ferguson and manager of the Ferguson Farmers’ Market. “Some of the kids save their money all season because they know they want something bigger later. Some, of course, want to spend it right away.”
Launched during the market’s 25th season last year, Tiny Sprouts has quickly become one of its biggest family attractions, encouraging children to explore the market while building healthy eating habits that organizers hope last long after summer ends.
Learning through play and produce
Tiny Sprouts was created with several ideals in mind, but among the top of the list was to help children build a positive relationship with fresh, local food.
When families register, each child receives a Tiny Sprouts passport. Every Saturday, they visit three activity stations around the market to collect stamps by completing hands-on challenges.
One week, they might participate in a WashU-led science experiment. Another, they could make a craft, sample a new recipe during a cooking demonstration, visit a mystery vendor, or learn directly from a local farmer about how fruits and vegetables are grown.
Each completed passport earns fun incentives throughout the season, including bonus market tokens, prizes, and Tiny Sprouts T-shirts. After completing their first passport, children also receive a reusable shopping tote and begin earning $2 in market tokens every week to spend however they’d like.
“We want them to experience the joy of shopping with their families and supporting local farmers,” Taylor says.
Even picky eaters get curious
As any parent knows, getting kids to try unfamiliar foods isn’t always easy. Taylor has noticed something surprising, though: When tasting something new becomes part of the Tiny Sprouts adventure, many hesitant eaters become willing explorers.
“They’ll say, ‘Oh, I get a stamp if I try this?’” Taylor says with a laugh. “Even if they decide they don’t like it, they still tried it.”
Meeting the farmers also makes a difference. Instead of seeing produce as something that simply appears on grocery store shelves, children begin connecting it with the people who planted, harvested, and brought it to market.
“If they see the farmer who grew the apple, they think that’s really cool,” Taylor says. “It makes them want to eat the apple.”
Growing healthy habits—and community
Tiny Sprouts is just one reason that families keep returning. Every Saturday brings a different theme, giving kids a fresh reason to visit throughout the season. Upcoming events include an All-American Market on July 4, followed by Grinchmas in July, Pie Hard Market, Picnic & Play, Tomato Jam, Germanfest, Magic at the Market, the popular PawPaw Festival, Enchanted at the Market, Bluey at the Market, Paw Patrol, and Trick or Beet to wrap up the season.
“We theme every single market,” Taylor says. “People come every week because they want to see what’s next.”
Live music, local food vendors, cooking demonstrations, crafts, and children’s activities make it easy for families to spend the morning exploring long after they’ve finished shopping, Taylor explains.
For Taylor, the biggest success isn’t measured by how many passports get filled. It’s watching children become familiar faces. “They know our names. We know their names. They know the farmers’ names,” she says. “It’s really cool to see that community build.”
How to join Tiny Sprouts
Tiny Sprouts is free for children ages 3–12. The Ferguson Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon, May through October, at Plaza at 501 (501 S. Florissant, Ferguson). Families can register online or at the market to receive a Tiny Sprouts passport and begin collecting stamps, prizes, and weekly shopping tokens.
