Since our children were around 9 months old they have been helping me unpack our Community Supported Agriculture box of fruits and vegetables each Wednesday. It is a highlight of my week seeing my boys unpacking the fresh produce.
The ritual begins when we look out the window and see the box of food waiting for us on our doorstep. At this point they may believe the food comes from a truck or a box, but somehow I think they are also getting a connection to nature by this time spent touching and identifying produce. I have always hoped it will help my children understand their food. I try to also give the food context by taking them to community gardens as often as possible and this spring we are also growing our own vegetables.
As we the boys unpack the boys also help me sort them by fruit and vegetables. We often test food as soon as they are curious about something. Yesterday they were excited to try the peas. In the morning they tried but didn't like the fresh peas eaten pod and all. However at night, after we had peas in our curry, the boys were excited to eat the little peas fresh out of their pod.
The boys also help me prepare vegetables. They pull the cilantro leaves off the stem. They break off little broccoli trees. They love to use the salad spinner and they each have a vegetable scrub brush as well.
The current reality is that my boys will try lots of foods, but they don't love vegetables yet. I don't force anything on them as I read that sometimes it takes 20 times to develop a taste for a new food. I do hope they find enjoyment in the preparation of food and that as they grow older they understand from where their food comes.
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