Kids’ food knowledge is on the slide

Children are becoming less aware of where the food on their plate comes from and many can’t identify common vegetables.

New research has found a 16 per cent decline over the past seven years in the number of children who know where foods such as broccoli, potatoes and ham come from.

The survey of more than 1000 children aged 6 to 14 also found 55 per cent had never visited a farm with plants and crops, and only half could recognise vegetables such as beetroot and leek.

The survey, supported by a 2020 Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia study, was conducted by Woolworths in August. The supermarket giant released the survey findings as it also announced the return of its Fresh Food for Kids Discovery Tour program next year after it was put on hold due to Covid-19.

Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia chief executive Luciano Mesiti said the program was ”vitally* important” to bridging the growing gap in students’ agricultural* knowledge.

“Our research found more than 50 per cent of students had never visited a farm and had a limited sense of how they operated,” Mr Mesiti said.

“For nearly 60 per cent of students, they still lack that understanding of the supply chain* and where their food comes from and how it’s grown.

“Having knowledge of where food comes from allows people to make a decision about what they eat and how it impacts their health and wellbeing.”