Teaching Our Kids Where Food Comes From

Aldo Leopold, American author, scientist and environmentalist, said that not owning a farm creates the “spiritual danger” of “supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery” (A Sand County Almanac). If you have kids, would they be able to tell you where food truly comes from? Which foods are grown in the ground, and which come from animals? The difference between whole foods and processed foods? How what they eat affects their health and energy? A study in the UK questioned 27,500 children ages 5 to 16 and found that nearly a third think that cheese is made from plants (BBC News)!
If you grow food or have a farm, that’ a fantastic way to get kids thinking about food and, hopefully, tasting the fruits of their (or your) labor. But for those of us that don’t, what should we be teaching our kids about food and how should we go about doing it?
Parents, even if you don’t garden you can buy your kids a small planting pot, soil and seeds and help them plant it and watch it grow. Have them water it each day so they can appreciate the time and effort that it takes to grow food.
Another option is to take your kids to a pick-your-own farm. Not only can they see firsthand where/how food is grown, but it’s also a fun family activity.
Or, visit the local farmers’ market. While you’re there, make conversation with the vendors and have them explain to your kids how they grow their food and which foods are in season. Then, let them choose a vegetable or fruit to take home and eat. Understanding these things is important because it will help them realize the importance of farming and equip them with the basic information needed for making healthy choices.