By Marie Gardner
Have you ever wondered how to instill in your children a curiosity and passion for healthy, nourishing, and sustainable food in a society that makes just the opposite all too accessible?
We may live in a nation where the most commonly eaten vegetable is a fried potato, but research shows that kids are more likely to eat what they know, and toss what they don’t. So, how do you get youngsters to “know” about delicious, local, and healthy foods? Here are a few ways to inspire a natural desire to eat what’s healthy and yummy, and live vibrantly.
TEENSY SHOPPERS
The grocery store is a great place to talk about the healthy foods you are placing in your cart: We love this bread because it makes your heart happy!,” “What should we make with this kale?” Visit U-Pick farms and pick fresh, seasonal, and organic produce with your child. Farmers’ markets and farm open houses are other great places to help your kiddo experience all the fantastic local products Maine has to offer. Check out our farmers’ market list on page 13, and visit MOFGA.org to find local farms to near you.
MINI GARDENERS
Involving a child in planting, raising, and harvesting fresh produce is a great way to instill a passion for fresh food that they are likely to carry with them into adulthood. You don’t need a huge garden to inspire a little one. Something as simple as a potted cucumber plant, or a few pots of windowsill herbs can be a great place to start. The experience of growing our own plants and vegetables can help to develop gratitude and mindfulness, and your kids are more likely to develop a taste for produce they helped raise.
TINY CHEFS
While it may seem like hiding veggies from children is the only way to get them to eat them, involving your child in the healthy meal prep process can actually heighten appreciation and build knowledge. Monkey see, monkey do? Kids will eat whatever you eat. So eat healthfully, and express how much you appreciate it.
Kids are capable of making intelligent, compassionate and inspired decisions about food if we introduce them to it in positive ways and involve them in the process. Give it a try, and watch your little one become a healthy, informed, and compassionate consumer.
