10 After-School Snacks Courtesy of the Farmers Market

You’re back into the swing of things. The long weekend is over, school is in session and kids are procrastinating on their homework with nonstop requests for after-school snacks. Give into your kids with these delicious, farmers market fresh ideas. They may not be getting their homework done, but at least they’re eating healthy.

I’ve picked out 10 snack ideas, sometimes featuring a fresh item by itself with a little bit of help from the grocery store or spice rack, and other times I’ve paired them with another farmers market find, creating the ultimate healthy snack. Feel free to mix and match. And I won’t tell if you make these for your own after school snack.

100 PERCENT MARKET

CURDS WITH APPLES

• The curds come from and are the leftover process of cheese making (you know, curds and whey.) Whatever you do, don’t call them curds. Call them mini-string cheese, because their flavor and texture is very reminiscent of mozzarella cheese. Buy some plain or garlic, if your kids don’t mind flavor, and pair them with some apple chips from .

APPLES WITH HONEY ALMOND BUTTER

• Pick out your favorite apples from Ha’s and smother them in almond butter from . The almond butter is healthier than butter because it contain 50 percent more monounsaturated fat—that’s good-for-you fat!

VALENCIA ORANGE SLICES WITH SWEET ALMONDS

• I don’t know if I’ve bragged enough about ’s Valencia oranges, but they’re the citrus to get. They’re super juicy and will give your kids an energy boost with their vitamin C (as if they need it!). Hopkins Ag’s vanilla or cinnamon almonds will curb the sweet tooth and provide a protein boost.

RAW CHEDDAR CHEESE WITH RAW ALMONDS

• This snack will fill up your kids until dinner time, giving them a protein boost. Both items are also raw, meaning unpasteurized. They’re tasty, good for you and great finger foods, so kids can snack and work at the same time.

STRAWBERRIES AND LEMON QUARK

• This is a sweet-on-sweet snack, for your kids with sweet teeth. Give them whole strawberries and a container of Spring Hill’s lemon quark and let them dip away.

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES AND GARLIC QUARK

• This is a great adult after-school snack, but kudos to your kids if your they enjoy it, too! Slice up some of Valdivia’s or ’s beautiful (go for the purple) and dip them in Spring Hill’s . Savory and satisfying.

A LITTLE HELP FROM THE STORE

GRAHAM CRACKERS AND ALMOND BUTTER

• Get some honey graham crackers and spread some plain almond butter from . I promise to swear secrecy if you put a chocolate chip or two on top. Take the healthy route and top it off with sliced strawberries.

MELON SLICES WITH HAM

• Grab your favorite market (not watermelon) and slice them in large slices and freeze for about 30 minutes or so. Serve them up some thinly-shaved black forest ham from or . If your kids have advanced palates, wrap the melons in prosciutto.

LEMON CUCUMBERS WITH TAJIN

• ’s daughters love this snack. Slice up some of Maciel’s lemon cucumbers (named for their appearance, not for their taste) and arrange on a plate. Sprinkle on some tajin, a Mexican fruit seasoning blend of chile, salt and lime juice. Give each kid a toothpick and let them dig in. If your kids don’t fancy spicy food, sprinkle the cucumber with some salt and lemon juice.

SALTINES WITH QUARK AND JELLY

• Let the kids assemble these. Have them spread plain quark on individual saltines and top with their favorite jelly. Have plenty of wet paper towels nearby for sticky fingers!