How Power of Produce Connects U.P. Youth to Healthy Food

Until summer 2025, limited funding meant not every child who took part in the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market's Power of Produce (POP) program could receive a token to spend on fresh produce. Demand for the program had outpaced available funds.

‍In partnership with Partridge Creek Farms the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market offers the POP Program to help teach children about fruits and vegetables, local food systems, and healthy food preparation through fun activities. Participants engage in the full farmers market experience by trying new foods, having conversations with farmers, and buying local produce. Kids are encouraged to try new healthy foods and overcome picky eating through exposure to healthy food options in a fun and exciting environment. 

The Downtown Marquette Farmers Market expanded this programming in summer 2025. Each Saturday during the eight-week summer market season, children took part in activities such as seed bomb making and market bag decorating, alongside conversations with local farmers about how food is grown. After completing an activity, each child received a $5 token to spend on produce of their own choosing at the market.

Downtown Marquette Farmers Market engaged 116 children in hands-on nutrition learning activities, distributed $4,000 in tokens, and reimbursed more than 20 local farm vendors. Every child who completed a POP activity received a token, eliminating the shortfall families experienced in previous seasons. Families reported that children began eating more produce at home after trying new fruits and vegetables through the program, and vendors saw new customer relationships form with the families who came out each week.

They have continued to build on that momentum in 2026, broadening who leads POP programming so it does not rest on a single partner. The Marquette Food Co-op has joined Partridge Creek Farm to lead activities, including produce tastings that give children a low-pressure way to try something new.

SHF awarded a $4,000 Fall 2024 Proactive Grants to support this work. ‍