Visiting a pick-your-own strawberry farm or farmer’s market is a wonderful family outing that can be both fun and educational. Here are some suggestions to kick it up a notch!

1. Get the kiddos excited about the trip beforehand. Read Modern Farms at bedtime for several days leading up to your visit. Talk about the different foods mentioned in the book. Which are their favorites and why? Are there a few foods you haven’t tried yet? Make plans to include them in a future meal.

2. When you get to the pick-your-own strawberry farm, point out the many rows of strawberry plants. Are they covered in black plastic like in Modern Farms? Ask why they think the farmer uses plastic. After they’ve given you their ideas tell them that it is there to keep weeds from growing and to conserve water. (There is an irrigation line running down each row that gives water directly to each plant.)

3. When you visit the farmer’s market, make a game of finding the foods mentioned in Modern Farms. How many did you find?

4. When you get home, cook together using your fresh fruits and veggies from the farmer’s market.

Here’s an easy recipe for Strawberry Smoothies (3-4 servings)

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of strawberries, hulled (you can substitute frozen strawberries)

• 2 cups cold milk (use the milk type of your choice)

• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, or according to taste

• Ice cubes, optional

Instructions:

Wash and hull fresh strawberries. Add strawberries, milk and sugar (optional) to blender and mix until smooth and creamy. If you want more of a milkshake texture, add several ice cubes and blend until ice is crushed and mixture is thick. (If you are using frozen strawberries you won’t need ice.) Serve and enjoy!