A colorful student-made sign invites customers to the Little Sprouts Farmer’s Market adjacent to Jeffco’s Little Elementary in Arvada.
Nestled in the Little Elementary School community garden this September is a treat for all Jeffco residents. Sixth-graders run a farmer’s market called “Little Sprouts”, open Thursdays in September from 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. Little Sprouts has been operating for three weeks, and will close its garden gates the last week of September.
“People seem to like to buy tomatoes, cantaloupe, and zucchini – those are some of the favorites,” said sixth-grader Sierra Weatherton. “Today, we actually used some of our ingredients to make salsa.”
The farmer’s market is coordinated by Little Elementary veteran teacher, Saundra Gabriel.
“I taught here in Little for 18 years,” Gabriel reflected. “I had these little guys in kindergarten and then again in second grade, so I know them pretty well. We had a week of training before we even started. They do it all. They take care of everything.”
Each student carries a clipboard, a calculator, and a pencil around the market, and can be recognized by their matching “Little Sprouts” aprons and wide smiles.
“I think it is very fun to be talking to people and to be selling the produce that we have grown here,” said sixth-grader Erin McGovern.
The farmer’s market sells a variety of produce including pumpkins, tomatoes, radishes, spinach, lettuce, and assorted fruits. Fruits are purchased from Denver Urban Gardens to supplement the garden supply, as well as stocks from private volunteered plots.
According to Gabriel, this is not the last we will see of the Little Sprouts Farmer’s Market.
“We are going to go ahead and continue next year, also in September, said Gabriel.” “This is the best group of kids you could ever ask for.”
Be sure to stop by Little Sprouts Farmer’s Market this week for guaranteed fresh produce and great service.
Watch the JPS-TV version of this story here.