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For Immediate Release 08/11/08

Youth Share Their Produce at Farmers Market

Contacts: Janet Lewis, Lane County Department of Youth Services employment specialist, 682-4748; Matthew Sterner, DYS Employment Program supervisor, 682-4775 or 505-4802

After months of careful gardening, local youth are taking their harvest to the market.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Education Center students of the Lane County Department of Youth Services (DYS) will sell produce at the Lane County Farmers' Market in downtown Eugene through August. All produce comes from a garden that is run by youth in the Detention and Phoenix programs of DYS.

Starting tomorrow, youth will sell a variety of produce throughout the month including Swiss Chard, some garlic braids, cherry tomatoes, spring mix, cucumber lemons, Walla Walla onions, zucchini, carrots, and patty pan squash.

"These youth have proven themselves in other work experiences, such as in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Culinary Arts Program kitchen or on a community service work crew," said Janet Lewis, DYS employment specialist. "By working at the market, the youth will practice their customer service skills, interact with the public, learn to operate a cash register, and pick up some sales and marketing skills."

Most of the produce harvested is used by the department's Martin Luther King, Jr. Culinary Arts Program. However, the surplus will be sold at the market August 12, 19, and 26. The market is located at Eighth Avenue in downtown Eugene, just west of the Lane County Courthouse.

The youth garden began in 2007 as a way for youth to learn horticulture, basic gardening and work skills that will transfer to becoming productive citizens in their community. Taking produce to the market is a new opportunity for DYS youth.

"Having the youth take the produce to market is an exciting opportunity and idea that is really a natural evolution of the labor of the staff and youth involved in all facets of the vocational programming at DYS," said Matthew Sterner, Employment Program supervisor. "We are pleased that the same high risk youth that began this experience by planting the seeds will also be involving with the community and public in such a positive and dynamic way. Overall this type of project is a great metaphor for the hard work and change that the youth have gone through while working with the DYS, MLK Jr. Ed Centers vocational programs."

The Lane County Department of Youth Services is grateful to the Lane County Farmers' Market for partnering with DYS to provide youth this wonderful work opportunity.

Amber Fossen
Public Information Officer
Lane County Government
125 E. Eighth Ave.
Eugene, Oregon 97401
(541) 682.3718
(541) 359.9143 (cell)

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