Del Ray Chefs To Join Del Ray Farmers Market Children's Program In 2024

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Del Ray Farmers' Market will bring back a free educational children's program for a third year and get local restaurants involved.

The Power of Produce (POP) Kids' Club is a monthly program to educate children about nutrition, food, farming and community with the help of farmers market vendors. New this year will be participation from Del Ray restaurant chefs providing cooking demonstrations focused on seasonal fruits and vegetables sold at the farmers market.

"Learning recipes and watching cooking demonstrations is a great way for kids to learn about seasonal and local fresh fruits and vegetables," said POP Kids' Club organizer and founder Jeff O'Hara. "It will also help our community learn the philosophies and cooking techniques of our local restaurants."

Taqueria Poblano owner Jeff Wallingford had participated in the 2023 POP Kids' Club with a salsa making demonstration, inspiring the restaurant-focused 2024 lineup. Taqueria Poblano will again be featured in 2024.

The POP Kids' Club program is free and open to children between ages 4 and 12. The farmers market will have a POP Kids' Club tent on Oxford Avenue monthly from April to September. When children complete the activity, they will get a $5 voucher to the farmers market for local fruits and vegetables.

"The Del Ray Farmers Market has been a foundation for Del Ray’s business district and entices our residents to patronize our great local businesses," said Del Ray Farmers' Market founder and manager Pat Miller. "We hope that having market shoppers learn about our restaurants will reinforce our bonds with the Del Ray business community."

The farmers market runs Saturdays year round from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Here is the initial POP Kids' Club schedule:

• April 13: Taqueria el Poblano
• May 11: Matt and Tony’s All Day Kitchen + Bar
• June 8: District Biscuit Company
• July 13: To be announced
• Aug. 10: Pork Barrel BBQ
• Sept. 16: Del Ray Pizzeria & Draft House