The Decatur Memorial Auxiliary is offering kids the opportunity to participate in the Power of Produce (POP) Club at Mercy Market in downtown Decatur this summer.
Children and their parent or guardian can visit the Decatur Memorial Hospital booth to participate in free educational activities, make and take projects and food tastings that encourage healthy choices and teach about local food systems. Children will receive a $4 POP token each week that they participate and can use the tokens to purchase healthy options from any market vendor.
Mercy Market is a local farmers market organized by Good Samaritan Inn and presented by DMH Auxiliary and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital. The market runs from 8 am to noon every Saturday, June – October, in Preston Jackson Park. The DMH Auxiliary booth will be open the first and third Saturday of every month.
“We’re fortunate to live in a region where we can enjoy fresh, local produce,” said Julie Bilbrey, executive director of the Decatur Memorial Foundation. “The POP Club will bring different themed activities to each market with the goal of encouraging kids to make healthy choices while learning more about where their food comes from. We have some really fun activities planned, including a blender bike, which allows kids to pedal power their own smoothies. It’s exciting to bring this fun and educational program to Decatur.”