Turn Reading Into Fresh Produce with Petersburg Public Library’s “Read & Eat” Program

This summer, families across the country have been feeling the pinch at the grocery store. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of produce has increased nearly 40 percent. In Petersburg, the Public Library and the Healthy Communities Action Team (HCAT) are working together to ease the burden by connecting literacy and nutrition in a creative new way.

Starting September 15, 2025, families can earn tokens at the Petersburg Public Library that can be redeemed for fresh produce at the Petersburg Farmers Market. Here’s how it works:

Earn Tokens by Reading

Every time your child reads a book, or you read to them, you earn one token.
Each token is valued at one dollar and can be used to purchase produce at the Farmers Market.
Reading becomes more than just a way to learn — it becomes a way to save.

Earn Tokens by Cooking

HCAT’s “Pop-up Bite” Kitchens give families the chance to cook and learn together while earning more tokens.

Attend a Pop-up Bite Kitchen and receive five tokens per family.
Cook at home: Record your family making the featured recipe and send the video to [email protected] or call (804) 605-2567 to submit. You’ll earn ten tokens.
Get featured online: If your video is posted on the Library’s social media pages, your family earns an additional ten tokens, for a total of twenty tokens.

Upcoming HCAT Pop-up Bite Kitchen Dates

Saturday, November 22 | 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Greater A.M.E. Zion Church, 1301 Youngs Rd.
Tuesday, November 25 | 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Petersburg Public Library, 201 W. Washington St.

Building Stronger Readers and Healthier Families

This program is designed to meet two essential needs: helping children become stronger readers while supporting families with affordable access to healthy food.

“Our goal is to connect literacy and nutrition in a way that directly benefits families’ budgets,” said Ruth Frierson. “By earning tokens through reading and cooking, families can put healthy meals on the table while building lifelong skills.”

The Petersburg Public Library invites families to start earning tokens beginning September 15. Together, we can build stronger readers, healthier families, and a thriving community.

For more information, contact HCAT at [email protected] or (804) 605-2567, or call the Library at (804) 733-2387.

Growing Future Gardeners: HCAT Teaches Young Learners at Petersburg Public Library

At the Petersburg Public Library, we believe in nurturing young minds—and what better way to do that than by introducing them to the joys of growing their own food? Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming Head Start and Pre-K students from Petersburg Public City Westview Early Childhood Education Center for an engaging, hands-on gardening experience led by the Healthy Community Action Team (HCAT) in partnership with our Youth Department.

During this interactive session, children were introduced to the fundamentals of growing fruits and vegetables at home. HCAT provided them with the information, tools, and encouragement needed to start their own small gardens. Through hands-on activities, the young learners explored the textures of soil, received a bag to take home so that they can plant their own seeds, and learned about the process of nurturing plants from sprout to harvest.

Why Gardening Matters for Kids

Research shows that introducing children to gardening at an early age has numerous benefits, including:

Developing ecological literacy – Understanding the environment and the role of plants in our ecosystem.
Expanding knowledge of where food comes from – Encouraging a deeper connection between food and nature.
Supporting social and emotional health – Providing a calming and rewarding activity that fosters responsibility and patience.
Enhancing academic skills – Strengthening subjects like science, math, and literacy through practical, hands-on learning.
Encouraging nature-friendly attitudes – Instilling a lifelong appreciation for nature and sustainability.
Building confidence – Giving children a sense of accomplishment as they watch their plants grow.
Improving vegetable consumption and variety – Studies suggest that kids who grow their own food are more likely to eat and enjoy fresh produce.

Encouraging Lifelong Healthy Habits

This event was more than just a fun activity—it was a step toward building healthier habits for life. By fostering an early appreciation for growing food, we’re helping to create a future generation that values fresh, nutritious foods and understands the importance of sustainability.

We’re so proud of our young gardeners and can’t wait to see how their plants grow!

Have you introduced gardening to your little ones?