Shorewood Farmers Market is open every Sunday through November 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Over 20 vendors are selling produce and artisanal food products weekly, rain or shine.  

You can get weekly recipes using market products and sample one from a professional meal planner, nutritionist or chef at 11:30 a.m. at the Market booth. 

For more information, "like" the Shorewood Farmers Market Facebook page.

• Start with the basics. Remind kids to turn off the lights in the bathroom or any unoccupied room at home and at school. Encourage them to throw away any trash they find on the school playground, tell them to use both sides of their notebook paper, and suggest that they save unused chalk and art supplies.

• Carpool. If you live somewhere where bus service isn't provided, start a carpool and take turns with other parents in the neighborhood to drop off and pick up the kids. You'll each save time, energy and fuel. Visit Carpooltoschool.com for help! They offer secure school pool networking and coordination sites customized for public and private schools, and they provide a range of easy-to-use tools that make creating and maintaining carpools, walkpools and bikepools fun, easy and safe.

• Lunch break. Pack kids' lunches in lunch pails or canvas bags instead of throwaway paper bags. Consider re-using plastic sandwich bags, or only using durable plastic containers. Be sure containers are safe, however, as some plastic lunch boxes contain harmful toxins such as PVCs (download the Center for Health, Environment and Justice's PVC back to school PDF guide here). You can also try to find creative ways to re-purpose items in your home.

• It might seem obvious, but check out your school's recycling programs. Ask whether recycling bins are available and accessible -- and if the kids are encouraged to use them. Make sure your child knows what can be recycled and what can't.

• Make smart decisions while shopping. Buy school supplies with less packaging and seek those made with organic and/or recycled materials. Consider investing in sturdier products - this can ensure years of use from commonly used items like backpacks. You can also make environmentally-friendly choices when buying back-to-school clothes.

• Re-use school supplies that are in good condition. When you're in the middle of the back-to-school shopping frenzy, it's sometimes easy to forget about all those items you have at home that are still in good working condition. Binders, loose leaf paper, pencils and scissors are often only lightly used. Save money and resources by buying only what's really needed! If you can't re-use old products, donate them to your school or a local daycare.

• Keep children in touch with nature. After-school time use to involve catching fireflies, exploring the neighborhood woods, making mudpies, and just having a good time running around outside. This has changed dramatically in the digital age and children are less connected to nature, which can cause them to care less about its condition. Instead of plopping down in front of the TV or computer after school, encourage your kids to get outside for an hour or two each day. Not much daylight left after the homework's done? Take a family walk after dinner, devote your weekends to outdoor-only activities like biking and hiking, or start a nature club for your family. Studies have shown children who spend more time outside are less likely to suffer from obesity, Attention Deficit Disorder, and depression.

• Spread the word. Encourage your children to spread their environmental consciousness. They can suggest that their friends pack lunches too so that they can trade items or have a cool reusable lunch bag as well.