The Importance of Teaching Children to Grow Food in an Uncertain World

We are hearing more and more about food resilience, but what does this really mean—and why is teaching children to grow food so important?

Food resilience is the ability of individuals and communities to produce, access, and sustain food supply despite disruptions to the supply change. In a world of supermarket convenience, it’s easy to forget just how fragile our food systems can be. It just takes events like the COVID pandemic, the war in the Middle East, and big companies announcing closure of food processing plants to bring food resilience to the fore. Rising costs and food shortages can lead to panic buying and the emptying the food shelves in the supermarket.

However, one of I believe this is most powerful, long-term ways to build food resilience is to teach children how to grow food.

Why Teaching Children to Grow Food Is an Essential Life Skill

For many, gardening is seen as a pleasant, relaxing activity—something optional to make the environment look pretty. But growing food is a fundamental life skill, as important as cooking or managing money. I think it’s important that children learn how to plant, nurture, and harvest their own food. And while they’re doing that, they learn more than just how to garden. They gain confidence, independence, and a deeper understanding of how the world works.

There’s also a practical benefit: children who have been involved in growing their food are more likely to eat it. A tomato picked from the vine or a carrot pulled from the garden carries a sense of pride and curiosity that no supermarket produce can replicate – not to mention the taste or the higher nutritional content of freshly harvested food.

Educational Benefits of Teaching Children to Grow Food

I believe that for children, gardening is more than putting a plant in the ground and helping it grow. It provides learning that goes far beyond food. For example, when children garden, they learn science.

They learn about:

·       the importance of soil health to produce healthy plants and vegetables

·       food cycles

·       biodiversity

·       the type of care a plant needs to grow successfully

·       nature and the seasons

·       patience as they wait for seeds to sprout and grow

Gardening provides children with fundamental skills to help build self-sufficiency and confidence.

Teaching Children to Grow Food Builds Stronger Communities

Gardening helps children understand not only how food grows but how it fits into the bigger picture of sustainability. These children become adults who understand sustainability, who value local food systems, and who are less dependent on long, vulnerable supply chains.

Local communities can help. School gardens, community gardens, and shared green spaces can become hubs of learning and connection. They offer opportunities not just to grow food, but to grow knowledge, relationships, and a sense of shared responsibility.

Simple Ways to Start Teaching Children to Grow Food

I know that teaching children to garden can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. You don’t need a large backyard or perfect conditions to begin.

• Start small - A few pots on a deck, herbs on a windowsill, or a raised bed in the backyard or outdoor space is enough.

• Choose easy, fast-growing crops like lettuce, herbs, or cherry tomatoes to build confidence early.

• Involve children in every step—from choosing seeds to harvesting. Let them get their hands dirty.

• Grow a “pizza garden” with tomatoes and basil, or a “rainbow garden” with colourful vegetables. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s participation.

The Role of Early Childhood and Schools in Teaching Children to Grow Food

While families play a crucial role, early childhood settings and schools have an equally important role in teaching children to grow their own food. Gardens can become living classrooms, where science, maths, health, and environmental education come together in meaningful ways.

I believe teaching children about food systems—where food comes from, how it’s grown, and why it matters—should be as fundamental as teaching maths or reading. Access to this knowledge shouldn’t depend on where a child lives or their family’s resources. It should be part of the curriculum in all early childhood settings and schools.

Overcoming Barriers to Teaching Children to Grow Food

I realise there will be challenges. Not everyone has space, time, or experience. But these barriers are not insurmountable.

Small-space gardening, online resources, and local workshops have made growing food more accessible than ever. Even a single pot with a single plant can spark curiosity and learning.

The key is to start where you are, with what you have.

Reconnecting Children with Food, Nature, and Culture

We are all born with an innate connection to nature. Growing food helps strengthen (or reconnect) us with nature. Gardening slows us down. It brings us back to understanding seasons, cycles, and the simple joy of growing, harvesting, sharing, and eating food.

Growing food can also be a way to pass down cultural traditions, to grow foods that reflect identity and heritage, and to share stories across generations. In teaching children to grow food, we’re not just teaching survival—we’re nurturing connection with others.

Teaching Children to Grow Food Is an Investment in the Future

What if every child knew how to grow at least one thing to eat?

It’s a small idea, but its impact could be huge. Teaching children to grow food is an investment in food security, in health, and in the future of our communities. It equips the next generation with the skills and mindset needed to navigate an uncertain world.

And it all starts with a seed.