The VeggieKids are youth, ages 10-14, who set up and run a produce stand every Wednesday at the Haddington Farmers Market. These youth have been involved in Urban Tree Connection gardening programs for at least four years and have learned to take care of their own vegetable gardens. Still, for some young teenagers, gardening soon becomes “corny.”  These youth want to do something else.  Selling the produce they have grown during the season provides VeggieKids with money and allows them to experience the entire farming cycle.  Through the Veggie Kids program, youth learn basic business skills such as how to market their products to customers, keep track of their sales, and cut their costs.

At their stand, the VeggieKids sell produce they have grown in their gardens as well as fruit from Beechwood Orchards, located in Lancaster County.  Currently, the VeggieKids are doing market research to determine what other products customers want from a farm stand. They are hopeful that next year they will increase the variety and quantity of the foods they sell.