Summer is a great time of the year to enjoy fresh produce. August, in particular, is the peak season for many fruits and vegetables to be harvested. From farmer’s markets to orchards, there’s a variety of ways to include your youngest family members in selecting nutritious fruits and veggies for your household. Activities and outings that involve gathering foods are a wonderful way to facilitate an understanding of food production, the people involved, and where it comes from. It could also be a fun and exciting way to introduce or try different foods. Additionally, these settings encourage social skills via talking with the merchants. Asking questions can lead to new discoveries, curiosity, and provide practice talking with community members.
A visit to a market, farm, or orchard allows kids to touch, smell and get a chance to choose the produce themselves–building a sense of autonomy and pride in what was gathered. This could lead to a higher likelihood of them eating their vegetables since they picked it themselves. If you cannot get out to a market or farm, simply spending a little extra time at the grocery store produce section where kids can be included can be an easy way to build knowledge and interest in novel foods and their preparation, as well as get them excited about food. Healthy eating and good nutrition is vital to fueling our bodies and aiding in development as kids grow.
Questions? Contact our office.
