Everyone knows that kids can be really picky about what food they eat. They usually don’t choose to eat fresh fruits and vegetables on their own. So how can we get them to eat a healthier diet? Take them out to do the foraging and collecting themselves.

Growing up, many kids go to the grocery store and see the stacks upon stacks of fruits and vegetables but they have no real concept of where all that food comes from. They’re missing the joy of walking through blueberry fields early in the morning, or apple picking in the fall. Kids are much happier to run around and eat fruit directly from the tree it was grown on than to eat it when it magically appears at the dinner table.

So, whether it’s taking your child to the local CSA to pick carrots and to see the farm that their food comes from, or picking fresh blueberries and making pie, show your child the value of farms and local food. After all, there isn’t much that is better than eating a fresh strawberry in the summer, or harvesting local tomatoes. And you’ll be teaching your children how important local, organic produce is while they run around and have fun.

Whether it’s a natural return to our hunting and gathering origins, or just the simple joy of being in nature, kids are sure to love the adventure of picking fresh produce. And hey, you just might get them to appreciate where their food comes from and to actually eat their fruits and veggies.