Age: 5-7 Years

This is a great way to talk about different foods, cultures and climates and the lives of farmers all over the world.

• Cut up different fruits and vegetables and ask children to describe them
   
• Write down three words that describe the taste two for texture and one for colour
   
• Mark on a world map where they have come from, how far have they travelled to get to us?
   
• Discuss food miles, fair-trade, buying from local farmers, organic food, healthy eating and 5 a day
   
• Try to find pictures of the plants where they come from.
   
• Compare exotic tropical fruits with local ones. We have a huge number of exciting fruits that have been traditionally grown in the UK which many pupils won’t have tried e.g. unusual apples, pears, plums, raspberry, blackberries damsons etc. Talk to your green grocer or a local gardener about what is in season. You could try to grow some of the seeds from the fruit you try.
   
• Show children how to use a knife and talk about safe food preparation, be aware of any food allergies.
   
• Most fruit and veg shops and supermarkets stock exotic fruits, beware though, as some don’t travel that well and won’t taste anywhere near as good as they should.