Children’s Market at Wyoming Free Library encourages healthy eating

WYOMING – A children’s market held at the Wyoming Library on Feb. 2 provided a welcome reprieve from snow and frigid temperatures, offering bright, fresh vegetables in addition to other food items.

Nine-year-old Madelyn Miller, of Pringle, was heading home with, among other things, several oranges for which she had a special plan.

Miller, who recently received a juicer as a gift, planned to make orangeade for her family, using a special recipe and a lot of enthusiasm.

Her mom Heidi Miller said the family loves coming to the library, not only to get books to be read on cold nights, but also to enjoy well thought-out activities.

“She belongs to the sewing club here,” Heidi said of her daughter. “She loves it and she’s already made several items.”

Although the family is busy — Madelyn plays basketball for Good Shepherd Academy — they make swinging by the library a part of their routine several days a week.

The market, Heidi said, is a wonderful encouragement not only to eat healthy, but to take time to prepare foods as a family.

Debbie Nelson, of Wyoming, who homeschools her children, enjoyed picking up oranges, carrots and potatoes, as well as Kind bars to take home to her family.

Nelson was especially grateful for the nutrition bars, which she said she puts in her car as a great opportunity to avoid stopping for fast food and snacking between meals.

She also appreciated granola cereal, which she said would make a great healthy snack for her five children.

“Its nice to see some fresh foods this time of year,” she said. “And I think this puts the food to such good use. I hate to see food wasted.”

Joseph Nelson, 11, who had came along to help his mom, said he was looking forward to eating dried fruit the two had picked up from the market.

Library director John Roberts said the market was in its third year and provided a community service as well as an opportunity for people to become familiar with the library.

Roberts said the library, which also provided food distribution for seniors later in the day, would give out about 1200 pounds of food.

He said the children’s market was a partnership between the library and the Commission on Economic Opportunity’s Food Bank, an effort to support area families and ensure good quality of life.

Colleen Garrison, of Wyoming, a volunteer of the Wyoming Free Library, straightens boxes of granola before families come to pick up their bags of groceries.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_psd021019market-1.jpg.optimal.jpgColleen Garrison, of Wyoming, a volunteer of the Wyoming Free Library, straightens boxes of granola before families come to pick up their bags of groceries. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Debbie Nelson and her son Joesph, 11, of Wyoming pick out food items during the open market for eligible families at the Wyoming Free Library.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_psd021019market-2.jpg.optimal.jpgDebbie Nelson and her son Joesph, 11, of Wyoming pick out food items during the open market for eligible families at the Wyoming Free Library. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Madelynn Miller, 9, of Pringle, fills her bag with oranges during the Wyoming Free Library’s produce market for children and their families.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_psd021019market-3.jpg.optimal.jpgMadelynn Miller, 9, of Pringle, fills her bag with oranges during the Wyoming Free Library’s produce market for children and their families. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Eric Edwards, of West Pittston, left his kids at home while he picked through groceries at the Wyoming Free Library’s open free market for eligible children and their families.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_psd021019market-4.jpg.optimal.jpgEric Edwards, of West Pittston, left his kids at home while he picked through groceries at the Wyoming Free Library’s open free market for eligible children and their families. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch