ENGLEWOOD — Lee Perron, Englewood Farmers Market manager, wanted to incorporate an idea in which kids could get more involved at the farmers market and benefit from participating at the same time. The goal is to focus on nutrition and educational health.
Perron contacted Englewood Elementary School to inquire if fourth- and fifth-graders would be interested in participating in a logo design contest that would use the farmers market as the design criterion. Students were encouraged to draw a creative logo design using farm produce or a food theme from the market. The entries would be reviewed by a committee with a winner being chosen and used on a number of items at the market when it reopens in October.
“The winning design will be printed along with our original logo on items like recycled shopping bags, T-shirts and aprons, which will be for sale in October,” said Perron. “Proceeds from the sales will be given back to Englewood Elementary School to use in their programs.”
Perron said the project was originally thought of by Mango Bistro co-owner Marie Laforge.
Laforge partnered with Englewood Elementary School art directorEnglewood Farmers Market Dawn Hinck and the idea was introduced to fourth- and fifth-graders at the school.
“Marie’s background and knowledge of art helped structure the program at the school,” said Perron. “She created guidelines and rules for the kids to follow for the contest.”
A total of 91 entries were submitted.
“And there are quite a few excellent ones — it’s going to be very hard to determine the winner,” Laforge said.
The entries will be judged this week, and the winner will be announced at the April 12 Farmers Market with a tentative time of noon.
Besides the honor of having his work displayed, the young artist will win a basket full of goodies courtesy of all the market vendors, including produce, baked goods, cupcakes, pastries, kettle corn and fudge, as well as some other items.
The top 25 entries will be posted on the website for the public to view. In addition, the winning entry, along with all of the finalists, will be on display at the Elsie Quirk Public Library for two weeks following the announcement of the winner, with the assistance of Elsie Quirk Librarian Jennifer Perry, according to Perron.
“The market vendors love to get involved with the local schools, and a number of them donated a variety of plants and herbs for all five grade levels at Englewood Elementary,” Perron said. “Each grade now has a little garden to show off to the community.”
For more information, visit www.englewoodfarmersmarket.org or check out Englewood Farmer’s Market on Facebook.
Email: serwin@sun-herald.com“> serwin@sun-herald.com
The committee is currently reviewing 91 student entries for the contest. The top five will be recognized at the Farmer’s Market on April 12. The winner will take home a “goodie bag” filled with tasty treats courtesy of the vendors.
Englewood Farmer’s Market committee members Marie Laforge and Ricardo Ruggiero, (owners of Mango Bistro on Dearborn Street) Mike Hutchinson, Lee Peron and Don Mussili stand in front of some of the art entries from Englewood Elementary School fourth- and fifth-graders. Students were invited to participate in an art contest to help create a logo for the Englewood Farmer’s Market for next season.