Children grow their own vegetables as part of Green Thumb Kids program.

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Organizers of a new program are hoping to grow interest among children in planting and taking care of their own vegetables. The Green Thumb Kids program began Saturday at the weekly farmer's market at the Sydney Marine Terminal and involved children picking up been seeds and tomato plants, which will grow over the summer months. Frances Oommen, one of the organizers of the program, said that it's designed to educate young kids about the joys of planting and eating foods they grow on their own. "What we want to do is encourage people to eat local, healthy food", she said. eWe need more people in Cape Breton involved in agriculture and farming." Oommen explained that as oil and gas prices increase, the price of importing food to the island is going to increase. Eventually, she believes, the price of food imported to Cape Breton will be out of reach for many consumers, necessitating people to begin growing some of their own food. "Cape Breton, I believe, has lots of potential to grow it's own food", she said. As for the kids participating in the program, they were each issued 20 beans and a tomato plant to grow over the summer and received instruction from Heritage seed farmer Michelle Smith on the planting process. Then in a couple of months the children will be invited to sell their very own produce at the farmer's market. ljgrant@cbpost.com