Youth Education - Community Development Department

Farmers Market Field Trips

Take your class to the Wednesday Santa Monica Farmers Market where students can have fun tasting and learning! Since 1997, the Santa Monica Farmers Market has collaborated with the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) to bring food literacy to its kids, teaching workshop topics such as:

Seasonality - learning to eat seasonally (samples included)
Variety - every food has a name
Growing Practices - organic, conventional, locally-grown
Consumer Choice
Santa Monica Farmers Market History

In one of the 30 minute classes, students will learn about some of these issues and will also get to sample easy, seasonal, and locally-sourced recipes that will get them excited to join their parents in the kitchen. Every student who participates will receive a non-expiring $1.00 coupon good at any of the four Santa Monica Farmers Markets, to encourage them to go with their parents to the market.

Logistics: Market Presentations are available every Wednesday, September - May, twice per day (at 10 am and at 10:30 am). Maximum class size is approximately 25 students, but if you have more than 25 students, we can arrange to split the class in half. The 1st group presentation will take place at 10 am and the 2nd half of the group at 10:30 am. Sign up by clicking on the "book now via veribook" image below.

After School Cooking Classes

Why not bring the Farmers Market to your school with an After School Cooking Class? This hands-on cooking class is offered to students grades 4 and up! We will bring ingredients from the Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market, as well as necessary equipment, to your site. These classes are under 1 hour (not including setup and cleanup). Finally, every student who participates will receive a $1.00 coupon good at our Pico Market, to encourage them to go with their parents to the market.

Logistics:

We will arrive at your site between 3 pm and 3:30 pm to setup, and the class will start at 4 pm and end by 5pm. Then, our team will stay after the class to clean up our equipment and your facility.
In order to provide the best experience to each participant, we are currently capping these classes at 20 students.
These classes will occur on most Wednesdays.
Sign up by clicking on the "book now via veribook" image below.

Farmers Market Scavenger Hunts

Youth groups are encouraged to visit and explore the farmers markets throughout the year. We've provided the scavenger hunts below to make your visit educational and adventurous.

Volunteer Opportunities

We're always recruiting excited, energetic volunteers who love good food! If you're interested in teaching youth groups about farmers market food, see our Volunteer and Intern pages.

Kids with Laura Kids at market

Farmers Market Field Trips

After School Cooking Classes

Farmers Market Scavenger Hunts

Volunteer Opportunities

Holiday Closures

Market Schedule