BeMoneySmarUSA Farmers Market Opens at the Sunrise Mall

The grand opening of the BeMoneySmartUSA Farmers Market at the Sunrise Mall on March 5, 2011 was a perfect day!  As people entered the market they were greeted by a smiling student employee dressed in “red” ready to help anyone seeking a special vendor and acquainting them with the layout of the new market.  There were over twenty new vendor/farmers out there, some of them familiar faces to patrons and many of them new to this venue.  Over 3000 people came in to celebrate with us on opening day.  Special entertainment was offered through the happy and talented Dilly Dally the clown who worked  hard to keep everyone adorned with balloon hats, wrist corsages and much more.  April May, was our featured face painter.  She created gorgeously elaborate designs on the eager faces of patrons of all ages.  You couldn’t miss the great toe-tapping sounds of the blue grass band “Ridin’ Shotgun” in the background with their distinct voices and cool steel guitar, banjos and drums!

Austins assists Upper Crust Baking
at BeMoneySmartUSA Sunrise Market

The BeMoneySmartUSA market is a Certified Farmers Market, which means all the farmers are certified by the state of California Department of Agriculture and many of them are also certified as organic farmers.  With products like beef, fish, eggs, organic citrus and vegetables, and a variety of specialty products that includes organic pre-prepared meals, almond butter, dried fruits and nuts, jams, sauces, homemade pasta, pizza, barbecue sauces, organic fresh spices/herbs and wine there is something for everyone!  You will not only get great healthy food but great service from the teens in “red” who are there to help out with your groceries, find a vendor and share the mission.  I really enjoy the market. I love the environment it brings and how every person just brightens up your day.

I am looking forward to future events that will be offered at the market that will include Free Healthy Cooking Demonstrations, Kids Cooking Classes, Raw-Foods Cooking, Canning Demonstrations, and other community events offered through community businesses and city programs.  Each week you can enjoy great local musical entertainment, balloon clowns, magicians, and face painting!

We look forward to seeing you out there each Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Sunrise Mall.  Come shop with us!

Written by Tabitha, 18 - El Camino High School

Local Charter School Takes Initiative to Provide Financial &Entrepreneruship Education to Their Students

BeMoneySmartUSA Foundation is partnering with the Sacramento Leadership Coop sponsored through the Horizon Charter School at the Our Lady of Guadalupe School in downtown Sacramento to bring entrepreneurial classes to students in grades 4 through 12.  Two courses, sixteen hours each, will be individually tailored to three age groups, all including fun games, activities, and demonstrations:

• 4th and 5th graders in the business course will be treated to a variety of interactive games helping them explore the basics of business, such as supply and demand.  In the financial education class offered by BeMoneySmartUSA, they will learn to better understand the value of money, how to save it and when to spend it.

• 6th through 8th graders in the business course will learn the eight main steps to starting a business, how to recognize market opportunities, and how to develop a stable, successful business plan.  The financial course for middle school students will discuss the economy, financial goals, investing and even give students the opportunity to create a mock investment portfolio.

• High school students in the business course will get an in depth view of business ownership and management while making real-world financial decisions and writing a feasible business plan.  In the financial class, they will learn about finances using a  hands-on approach.  They will work through an eleven unit lesson plan, including topics such as saving, investing and avoiding debt.

BeMoneySmartUSA looks forward to working with Our Lady of Guadalupe and providing a fun and educational experience for their students!

Annina, 13 - Olympus Middle School