FMC Partners with Chipotle Mexican Grill to Bring the Power of Produce (POP) Club to Farmers Markets Across the Country

      Posted On: August 18, 2015

The Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) has teamed up with Chipotle Mexican Grill to sponsor Power of Produce (POP) Clubs at 30 member markets nationwide throughout September and October. POP Club provides a fun opportunity for children to engage in the local food system through conversations directly with farmers, educational games and demonstrations, and exposure to new fruits and vegetables. In addition to participating in educational activities, POP Club kids receive vouchers to spend at the market, allowing them to make their own shopping decisions at the market.

This year, the Chipotle sponsorship will take the POP Club to a whole new level. The selected markets will receive educational materials including farmers market scavenger hunts and activity books, as well as up to $2,000 in market vouchers to help make their POP Clubs a success. Chipotle is proud to support farmers markets in their efforts to educate consumers and create opportunities for farmers. For more than two decades, Chipotle has been committed to Food With Integrity, which is the company’s commitment to better food from better ingredients raised and grown with a respect for farmers, animals and the environment. Read more about Chipotle’s Food with Integrity commitment here.
Congratulations to the following sponsored markets!

Orange Home Grown Farmers and Artisans Market, CA
Boulder County Farmers Markets, CO
CitySeed Farmers’ Markets – New Haven, CT
Roswell Farmers & Artisans Market, GA
Forsyth Farmers’ Market, GA
Capital City Public Market, ID
Aurora’s Farmers Market, IL
Bardstown Road Farmers’ Market, KY
Overland Park Farmers’ Market, KS
City of Bloomington Farmers Market, MN
Eagan Market Fest, MN
Linden Hills Farmers’ Market, MN
Mill City Farmers Market, MN
City Market, MO
Tower Grove Farmers’ Market, MO
Midtown Farmer’s Market, NC
The Chapel Hill Farmers Market, NC
Carrboro Farmers’ Market, NC
fresh52 Farmers & Artisan Market, NV
Countryside Farmers’ Market, OH
Montavilla Farmers Market, OR
Market Square Farmers’ Market, TN
Fondy Farmers Market, WI

POP started in May 2011 at the Oregon City Farmers Market in Oregon City, Oregon. It was created by the market manager, Jackie Hammond-Williams in response to a grant offered by Clackamas County, Oregon for programs that improve the community’s health. The POP Club brought together families and farmers around fresh produce at farmers markets. Through surveys and interviews, evaluations of Oregon City’s program found that 72% of POP participants had tried a new fruit or vegetable through the POP Club. Of participant parents, 70% reported that their child requests produce that he or she tried through the POP Club, confirming the influence of children on their parents’ purchasing choices. Read more about the history of POP Club here.

Support from the Patricia Miller Memorial Fund has also helped to bring the POP Club to life. The fund was created in memory of FMC Program Advisor, Stacy Miller’s mother, who was a great supporter of FMC and often a cheerful presence during FMC meetings, caring for her grandson Fionn.