New Farmers and Beekeeper Buzz at PV Elementary
Spring is here and we've got so many fun new things to usher in the warmer temps and longer days. Read on to find out how we're helping kids at Playa Vista Elementary get a true farm-to-fork experience. And, don't forget to read about the newest farmers to join the market this season. We can't wait to see you Saturday!What Exactly Does the Queen Bee Do, They Ask?
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| Beekeeper Lynne Gallagher Talking Bees and Honey |
We love helping parents shop farm-to-fork for their families. We also love helping kids get to know their local farmers. With the help of our amazing champion neighborhood moms who support the market, we were able to kick off our farm-to-school efforts at Playa Vista Elementary School. Playa Vista kids learned why the honeybee is so important to our local food system from beekeeper, Lynne Gallagher, of Bee Ladies Local Honey. Lynne is an expert local beekeeper from Yorba Linda and participates at our Sprouts of Promise farmers' market in Orange County.
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| Nurse Bees in Training |
Lynne showed the kids her apiary equipment and they got a chance to play the roles of nurse bees and worker bees to support the almighty queen bee! They even got a chance to smell a huge block of fresh honey wax and learned about all the neat things wax helps produce (Kleenex! Who knew?) Most importantly, kids were able to get a small peek into the life of a beekeeper and learn about why tending to our local honeybees is so important for our ecosystem. Without bees, not only would there be no honey, but largely none of the fruits and vegetables that are pollinated by these special little friends.
We hope to bring more farmers to the classroom to help kids have fun with local agriculture and encourage healthy eating habits. Want to get involved and help us with this mission? Contact us at playavistafm@gmail.com.
NEW!! Gama Farms from Arvin, CA
Gama Farms is from Arvin, CA (near Bakersfield) and started up in 1989 by Jesus and Maria Elena Gama. On nearly 80 acres, the family grows a wide variety of produce seasonally, with a focus on potatoes and onions available year round. They also have over 1,400 hens to produce delicious free-range eggs. And to keep with our beekeeping theme, Gama Farms is our newest farm to bring local honey back to the market. Support the sustainability of those hard working honeybees and come and sample their yummy honey this Saturday.
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NEW!! Wong Farms from North Shore, CA
How do you grow a tasty tomato outside of the summer season? SoCal desert weather combined with hydroponic growing makes for a happy tomato. Meet Deborah of Wong Farms, located near the Salton Sea in North Shore. Wong Farms has a medley of beefsteak tomatoes and this Saturday Deborah will be showcasing their tasty cherry tomatoes. Don't miss your chance to usher the spring season into your weekend meals.Easter Fun on 3/30
Want to keep it clean and healthy this Easter with colored eggs you'll actually want to eat later? Skip that "Red No. 3" food coloring and pick up fresh ingredients at the market to do it right. Check out these recipes featuring fruits and veggies. We've got a whole lotta fun for the kids at the market on 3/30. Follow us on Facebook for the latest.
-PVCFM
