Statewide Health Improvement Partnership of Freeborn County and Freeborn County 4-H are introducing a new, free children’s program — Power of Produce — at the Albert Lea Farmers Market, according to a press release.

The program was created at the Oregon City, Oregon, farmers market in 2011. Due to its success, it has spread to farmers markets all over the nation. The PoP Club has been in Minnesota since 2014 and is growing to markets around the state.

Each child participating in the program will receive a reusable shopping bag upon signing up and $2 market tokens to be spent by children on fresh produce.

Children will receive their token once per market. They can choose to spend it on their own $2 selection of fresh, locally grown produce, or save their token for a future market. Children must live in Freeborn County.

The goal of the PoP Club is to empower children to make healthy choices when selecting food to eat.

The program offers a chance for children to explore the farmers market and learn about the different varieties of fruits and vegetables, while also learning about how food is grown by connecting them with local farmers.

Beginning Saturday and running through July 29, children ages 4 through 12 are welcome to visit the farmers market and join the PoP Club. Registration and check-in will be at the designated PoP Club booth at the market.

The Albert Lea Farmers Market is open from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the corner of Fountain Street and North Broadway and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the Northbridge Mall parking lot.

Questions about the program can be addressed to Alice Englin at Freeborn County Public Health or Megan Thorson at Freeborn County 4-H.