Where food comes from

Visiting a farm with children

Picking food where it grows is one of the best ways for children to meet it. A berry warm from the sun, a carrot pulled from the dirt or an apple twisted off the branch becomes a food they know.

Finding a farm

• On-Farm Market Directory Farms that sell straight from the farm, from the United States Department of Agriculture.
• National Farmers Market Directory Markets near you, with days and hours.
• Ask at the market. Farmers often know which farms near you open for picking.

Farm hours and picking seasons change from year to year. Check with the farm before you go.

Before you go

• Look at the farm together. Your child chooses what to pick first from the list of what is ready.
• Pack for the field. Sun hats, water, closed shoes and clothes that can get muddy.
• Bring your own baskets. Your child carries their own small one.
• Talk about farm manners. We pick only what the farm says is ready, and we ask before tasting.

In the field

• Let your child lead. They choose the row, the plant and the berry.
• Look closely. Count the berries on one plant, find a ripe one and an unripe one, look under the leaves.
• Meet the farmer. Children can ask one question of their own.
• Expect short visits. Young children often pick for 20 minutes or so, then want to look, run and snack. That is a full and happy visit.

Back home

• Wash and sort together. Big and small, ripe and almost ripe.
• Cook something the same day. Find a recipe with the produce box helper.
• Draw what you picked. Or stamp it on the tasting passport.