Madison and Brayden Pecho looked to spend their Nutrition Education Dollars at the farmer’s market finale at Woodward Park on Friday.

The Manteca Unified School District Nutrition Services hosted several such events featuring locally grown fruits and vegetables as part of the Seamless Summer Lunch program, including Northgate (Manteca), Mossdale Landing (Lathrop), and Paul E. Weston (Stockton) parks.

“We averaged about 200 people (at the farmer’s market),” said Nutrition Education Supervisor Stephanie Huff.

A good portion of the produce at the farmer’s market – cucumbers, avocados, bell peppers, watermelon, corn, etc. – came from local wholesaler George Perry & Sons, thanks to a grant.

With hot conditions in the weekend forecast, many of the youngsters used their Nutrition Education Dollars to purchase watermelon on this day.

Huff, who is looking to host similar-type farmer’s markets during the regular school year, noted that this event also doubles as an educational exercise for students, who apply math skills while picking out healthier food options.

“Our goal (for farmer’s market) is to promote fruits and vegetables. It’s not based on income,” she said.

Along with the featured produce of watermelon and corn, the Nutrition Services Farmer’s Market offered do-it-yourself salsa bags.

The Seamless Summer Lunch program concludes next week. The lunches are free to those age 2 through 18 and must be consumed on site.

For more information, log on to www.musdnutrition.net.