In order to promote healthy eating while having fun, the Ventura County Certified Farmers Market Association, American Cancer Society and the Network for a Healthy California (Gold Coast Region Childrens Power Play! Campaign) have joined forces to present Champion for Change Poster Contest held on Saturday, May 17 at the downtown Ventura Farmers Market located on the corner of Santa Clara & Palm Streets.

The contest is open to youths, 6 to 15 years of age with prizes awarded to three age categories, 6-8, 9-11 and 12-15. The poster should be 8 ½ x 11 in size and must be themed around healthy eating containing the slogan, Be a Champion for Change: Eat Fruits & Vegetables and Be Physically Active Every Day, with colorful pictures of fruits and vegetables and physical activity. The youths name, age, address and phone number needs to be included on the back of the poster.

One grand prize winner will be awarded in each age category and all entries will receive Downtown Ventura Certified Farmers Market Bucks to be used at any vendor booth the day of the contest. Winners will be announced at 11:30 a.m. at the Farmers Market. Besides the poster contest, youths can also participate in a scavenger hunt, games & prizes taking place during the event.

Posters can be dropped off at the Childrens Power Play Campaign & American Cancer Society Booth between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The Network for a Healthy California Childrens Power Play! Campaign is a public health initiative led by the California Department of Public Health and administered by the Public Health Institute. Its purpose is to motivate and empower Californias 9 to 11 years old children to eat 3 to 5 cups of fruits and vegetables and get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.

The Ventura County Certified Farmers Market Association operates four weekly markets with two in Ventura, one in Thousand Oaks and one in Santa Clarita. The Ventura Farmers Markets in downtown Ventura takes place every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon.

For more information on the upcoming event, call 805-529-6266. For information on the Ventura County Farmers Market Association, visit the website at www.vccfarmersmarket.com.