From Farm to Table: Teaching Kids Where Their Food Comes From

A book about farm life fun written by Keishia Lee Louis

Have you ever heard a child say that milk comes from the grocery store or that vegetables magically appear in the fridge? Many kids grow up enjoying delicious meals without knowing the journey their food takes to get to their plate. Teaching children about the farm-to-table process helps them appreciate farmers, understand nutrition, and become mindful eaters.

Step 1: Start with a Simple Question
Ask your child: Where does food come from? Their answers might surprise you! Some kids might say “the store” or “the fridge,” which is a great starting point for a conversation about farming.

Step 2: Explore the Journey of Food
Here’s a simple breakdown of the farm-to-table journey:

1. Farmers Grow the Food – Fruits, vegetables, and grains start as seeds in the soil. Farmers work hard to plant, water, and harvest them.
2. Animals Provide Dairy, Eggs, and Meat – Cows give us milk, chickens lay eggs, and sheep provide wool. Teaching kids about humane farming practices is important too!
3. Food Gets Transported – Trucks, trains, and boats move food from farms to 

1. stores, restaurants, and schools.
2. Grocery Stores and Farmers’ Markets Sell the Food – Kids can help pick fresh produce at a farmers’ market or store.
3. Meals Are Made at Home or in Restaurants – Cooking together helps kids understand food preparation and reduces picky eating.

Step 3: Hands-On Learning Activities

• Grow a Mini Garden – Start with easy crops like cherry tomatoes, herbs, or lettuce in a pot or backyard garden.
• Visit a Farm – Many local farms offer tours where kids can see cows being milked or apples being picked.
• Cook Together – Choose a simple recipe and talk about where each ingredient comes from.
• Read Books About Farming – Stories like Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson or How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? by Chris Butterworth make learning fun.

Step 4: Make It Fun and Engaging

• Play a farm-to-table matching game where kids match foods to their sources (e.g., bread → wheat, cheese → cow).
• Challenge kids to eat a "rainbow" of fruits and veggies and learn where each one grows.
• Try a farmers’ market scavenger hunt—find a fruit, a vegetable, something from an animal, and something homemade.

Why This Matters
Understanding where food comes from helps children develop healthy eating habits, appreciate nature, and reduce food waste. Plus, it builds a connection between kids and the hardworking farmers who feed the world!