Fresh produce is essential for a growing family. That’s why the Essex County Women’s, Toddlers and Children’s Program and Daisy Meadow Farms have teamed up over the past 12 weeks to launch a series called ‘WIC ‘N’ Pick’. Her Mary Godnick, a creative home gardener at Dacy Meadow Farm, said: “But it’s important to have a space where people can come and see how it grows.” There were also plenty of activities for children. I was able to interact with people, learn how to garden, and ultimately explore what it’s like to be on a farm. I made a lot of new friends,” he said. She also “really learned about farm life and the different vegetables.” Miller jokingly said that those were vegetables she wasn’t familiar with and that she was “learning a lot” too. families took home a farewell gift from WIC: their very own custom ‘goody bag’. These bags contained food, tools, recipes, and personal photos of her 12-week experience with the family. For Krista Berger, her WIC coordinator for Essex County, this was very important. She “wanted to make sure I had the tools to cook the produce,” Berger said. “It’s easier to cook at home with the kids.” She says the program also inculcates the value of leading a healthy lifestyle early on. “It lasts a lifetime.” They will remember coming to this farm and picking tomatoes and being able to eat them.There are so many benefits to knowing where your food is coming from.”N’Pick ” again next summer.
Fresh produce is essential for growing families.
That’s why the Essex County Women’s, Toddlers and Children’s Program and Daisy Meadow Farms have teamed up over the past 12 weeks to launch a series called ‘WIC ‘N’ Pick’.
This program has provided the experience of seeing first-hand what families eat.
“Here you can buy really beautiful, locally grown organic vegetables,” says Mary Godnick, a creative home gardener at Dacy Meadow Farms. Having a space where you can see how it grows is important.
There were also many activities for children. They were able to choose their own produce, interact with animals, learn how to garden, and ultimately explore what it’s like to be on a farm.
Kaitlyn Miller, who has been at WIC since 2019, says her daughter “made a lot of new friends.” She also “really learned about farm life and different vegetables”.
Miller jokingly said that they were vegetables she was unfamiliar with and that she was “learning a lot too.”
Each family brought home their own custom ‘goody bag’, a farewell gift from WIC.
These bags contained food, tools, recipes, and photos of the family’s 12-week experience.
For Essex County WIC Coordinator Krista Berger, this was very important.
“We wanted to make sure we had the tools to cook our produce,” Berger said. “The experience of cooking with children is easier at home.”
She also says the program inculcates early the value of leading a healthy lifestyle.
“It lasts a lifetime,” says Berger. “They will remember coming to this farm and picking tomatoes and being able to eat them. There are so many benefits to knowing where your food is coming from.”
Essex County WIC officials say they plan to bring back the WIC ‘N’ Pick again next summer.
