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Sounds of active children laughing and shouting in delight could be heard from across the way at Market on the Mall on Wednesday, June 30. With a soccer ball propped on one knee, each excited child attempted to bounce the ball from one knee to another. Across from them were more children kicking soccer balls into a net, trying to score a goal, while members of the Fresno Fuego soccer team watched attentively.

This event successfully accomplished what it was set out to, which was to promote healthy and active lifestyles for children, as well as adults, said Maria Zapata, Community Health Leader for Network for a Healthy California. Daily activity (of any kind) for everyone is the key to a healthier outlook on life. “Children need 60 minutes a day of physical activity, while adults need 30 minutes," Zapata said. "It can be walking, running or whatever suits the person, just as long as the person takes the time to do it.”

Festivities of the day included fun activities for children, healthy food samples for all, prizes to lucky contestants; and three members of the Fresno Fuego were on hand to meet fans, sign autographs and participate in the fun soccer games. Using the popularity of the FIFA World Cup that is currently being played daily as a promotional tool, now seemed like the appropriate time to bring residents out to Market on the Mall to meet their own soccer stars right here in the valley.

The event was a joint venture by the Network for a Healthy California, Market on the Mall and the Fresno Downtown Association.

Calling all Fresno Fuego fans! Your favorite Fresno Fuego soccer players will be out in full force to meet and greet fans, sign autographs, as well as promote healthy choices and Market on the Mall to the Latino Community. Univision Radio - KOND will also be on hand to provide music to the festivities, which will include soccer games, food demonstrations, fun activities and prizes for everyone. So come on out, get your kicks and join in on the fun!

1. Freshness – Everything sold at this certified farmers markets is fresher and better tasting due to the fact that the food is grown practically in your own backyard. Freshness right at your fingertips and it didn’t even have to cross the state!  It doesn’t get better than that.   

2. Variety – You never know what you’re going to get at a farmers market. With the wide array of farmers and foods on hand, the possibilities are endless. Different farmers bring different variety of produce and products, so if you are looking for one type of strawberry and don’t see it the first vendor – keep looking! Chances are it might be right in front of you.

Two new vendors and two returning vendors have now been added to the Market! Each one offers a different specialty item, including flowers, foods and/or drinks that will be sure to delight your taste buds. The vendors include:

- JANE'S FRESH ICY BOBA: This beverage, also affectionately known as "bubble tea", is a delicious blended beverage and tea drink popular in Asian countries. It comes in a variety of flavors, such as: taro, jackfruit, coconut, coffee, lychee, watermelon, passion fruit and more! Boba refers to small sago balls placed in the drink for added flavor.

- SANCHEZ CORN: Enjoy the tasty treat of warm roasted corn on the cob straight from the grill! Each sweet bite of the juicy kernels will leave you hungry for more...and now you can try one every Wednesday and Friday.

- LEE'S FARM: Specializing in ethnic crops and vegetables, Lee's Farm brings a taste of Asia to the Market. Crops, such as bok choy, eggplant, radish, green long beans and more, are recipe staples to many of the immigrant and Asian families that live here in the Valley.

Why eat MORE fruits and veggies? 

What is the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program?
The WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is associated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, popularly known as WIC. The WIC Program provides supplemental foods, health care referrals and nutrition education at no cost to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding post-partum women, and to infants and children up to 5 years of age, who are found to be at nutritional risk. The FMNP was established by Congress in 1992, to provide fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants, and to expand the awareness, use of and sales at farmers’ markets. For more info, please visit the state website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/FMNP/FMNPfaqs.htm.

This is a reprint from a Vida en el Valle Blog by Rebecca Plevin.  see - http://blogs.vidaenelvalle.com/blog/2009/05/15/one-of-the-greatest-things-about-fresno/