Youth-led Farm Stand

On June 9, NRC Youth members unveiled their first Farm Stand at our community center made from a donated tent, handmade signs colored with markers and folding tables. Upon setting up shop, they offered the following boxes of bright, fresh produce for sale to the neighborhood:

• Carrots
• Collard greens
• Eggplant
• Cucumbers
• Cabbage
• Lettuce
• Squash

All of the produce was beautiful and affordably priced, with a suggested donation of $1 for a bunch of carrots or head of cabbage, and $2 for several summer squash. And, as soon as the stand opened, the children experienced a highly successful start, serving up customers that included neighbors and parents, alike.

The Farm Stand project has been in the works since early spring 2011, when Shalom Farms came to the NRC with a proposal to partner in a youth-led farm stand. Their idea was that if NRC youth would set up and run a farm stand, they would provide locally grown produce, free of chemicals or pesticides, for them to sell. Well, the idea was a big hit! And the youth have since been in charge of sorting, bagging and pricing produce; building the stand; making signs and handling sales. In the process, they are learning key business and economic aspects, including farming practices and details about produce, as well as how to start and run a business.

Additionally, all of The Farm Stand’s proceeds go right back into benefiting the NRC youth. At the end of the growing season, they will use the funds to engage in a cultural or educational event, or start a new NRC program of their choosing.

The Farm Stand is open every Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. until October. So, be sure to stop by the NRC for fresh, local and delicious produce!