Aisles of Green: Farm Parents show feeding kids is not all that difficult
As any parent of young children knows, getting kids to eat their veggies is often an uphill battle and a daily one at that. And while there’s some evidence that points to kids’ pickiness as being a survival tactic (evolutionarily speaking at least, as toddlers historically would have come across all kinds of things in the wild that could be dangerous), in our modern era of fast-food and sugary cereals, the real challenge is surviving the supermarket. Luckily for several local farm families, the aisles they navigate with their kids are just as colorful, albeit a whole lot healthier.
That’s the case for Lizzie Wright and Jesse Higgenbotham of Sugar Camp Farm. At just 15 months old, daughter Birdie already enjoys a diverse diet consisting of grass-fed meats, eggs, veggies, fruits, and fermented foods, a large portion of which are grown or raised right in her backyard. “I was really excited to discover that [what] we already had access to [was] much of what our child needs,” says Lizzie, who often brings Birdie into the field with her.
Which isn’t to say being a farm parent is without its challenges. “I love to bring Birdie into the garden,” says Lizzie, “but it’s very hard to get anything done while she’s out there with us. Recently, we brought her out to pick peas and she kept eating peas out of the harvest bin and taking big bites out of the ones that were lower down.” Still, it’s no accident that Birdie’s first bite of solid food was a big, juicy watermelon grown by mom and dad. “Birdie loves sweet potatoes, roasted salad turnips, roasted carrots, sugar snap peas, and strawberries, to name a few of the more recent crops available,” says Lizzie. “She’s extremely into coconut kefir and sauerkraut (golden zinger is her fave) from Short Mountain Cultures, and we get milk from our neighbor down the road which I pasteurize for her.” When they do go to the store, it’s for foods they can’t grow themselves, such as avocado, bananas, spices, grains, beans, nuts and nut butters, and staples like oil and vinegar.
“Birdie’s still very young of course,” Lizzie admits, acknowledging that the picky toddler years may be lurking around the corner for them as well, “but I do believe when kids have a hand in harvesting the food and see how it’s grown and where it comes from, they are more interested in trying it.”
Julie Vaughn of Rocky Glade Farm who has four boys ages 15, 12, 6 and 6, agrees, “I have one child who will snack on chard in the field, but if I bring it home and put it on his plate he won’t touch it. He just likes to pick things from the field and eat…and that is ok with me. My kids are also more likely to try things at the restaurants we sell to if they know we grew the veggies- especially at Rolf and Daughters, with their awesome sourdough and pasta.”
For those of us who aren’t living off our land, both Lizzie and Julie recommend letting young kids pick the veggies from the farmers’ market stand, noting that this sort of hands-on experience connects them to the food.
“Connect your kids to the people who grow their food and the places it’s grown,” says Lizzie. “Cook fresh veggies and include your kids in the process. Join a CSA and let them be surprised to discover what’s in the basket every week, then let them brainstorm ways to use that food.” Lizzie also recommends staring a simple garden. “Even just a container garden on your porch that your kids can participate in. Ask your farmers about how to grow certain things. In some cases, they may have extra seeds to share (we certainly have lots of older seed that could use a home) or go to the library where they have a “seed library” and get some to plant in your yard or in a bucket.”
Julie emphasizes letting your kids take ownership of their food choices and allowing them to try new things. “Let them see what looks interesting and take it home. Don’t say, ‘Oh no honey, those are turnips, you don’t like those.’ Let them see (it’s only a 3 buck gamble).” She also reminds parents not to let your expectations exceed reality and to understand that kids will be kids. “My kids eat goldfish and chips and granola bars, but they also eat some other really good stuff. It’s a balancing act—just like everyday life!”
Next time you’re looking for an activity to do with your kids, take a tip from Lizzie and, instead of going to the zoo or the movie theater, consider going to the market, a you-pick blueberry farm, or a cooking class. “Make food a way you connect with your kids.”
Growing Green Kids
• Go to the Farmers Market
• Connect them with the people who grow their food
• Join a CSA and let them be the first to check out the box every week
• Let them brainstorm how to cook or eat new foods
• Grow something—even if it’s tomatoes and basil in a container on your porch
Photo 1: Farmers Lizzie Wright, husband, Jesse Higgenbotham and daughter, Birdie.
Photo 2: Baby Birdie
