With an overall food insecurity rate of 12.9% in LaRue County, the percentage of food insecurities among children in LaRue County rose to 13.9% according to the latest Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment.  In addition, when asked to what extent practical education/assistance is in ensuring individuals and families have access to affordable nutritious food needed in LaRue County, survey participants rated this a 4.2 out of 5 which translates to a "very high need."

Therefore, the LaRue County Cooperative Extension Service prioritized the LaRue County Farmers Market as a way to not only provide the community with local fresh fruits and vegetables but also to make them accessible to the county's youth through the development of POP (Power of Produce) Club.  POP Club is a program that provides a fun opportunity for children under 17 to engage in the local food system through conversations directly with farmers, educational activities and exposure to local fruits and vegetables through sample tastings.  POP Club participants were rewarded with POP Bucks to spend at the market, allowing them to make their own shopping decisions.  POP Bucks were made possible through a local sponsorship donation of $1000 by Farm Credit Mid-America.

POP Club targeted youth ages 17 and under and averaged 80 youth at each session.  Many youth returned to subsequent POP Club sessions and spent a collective average of $300 in POP Bucks with the market vendors at each session.  This in turn increased market vendors profitability and encouraged them to offer items specially marketed towards youth.

Since the development of POP Club, the LaRue County Farmers Market has seen an increase in market shoppers as well as the number of vendors selling at the market.  Since 2022, the number of farmers market vendors have increased by 100% with 16 registered vendors selling in 2024.  With a larger variety of vendors, this gives our community more of a reason to come to the Farmers Market with the goal of increasing the affordability and accessibility of fruits and vegetables among LaRue County residents.