John,
Thank you for sharing the history of the Field to Market to You program. It's inspiring to see how you connected classroom learning with real‑world food systems. I especially appreciate the way younger students were guided to think about farming, processing, and distribution, and then given hands‑on experiences in the grocery store. The activities you describe, like comparing bulk and packaged foods or exploring food history through scavenger hunts, are such engaging ways to make abstract concepts tangible.
For primary grades, I think simple, hands‑on activities can make food systems come alive. They could be Food Label Detectives bringing in packages and comparing nutrition labels, learning to spot sugar, salt, and fiber. Or have a Local vs. Global Scavenger Hunt by finding items grown nearby versus far away then mapping them on a globe. They could also Taste the Rainbow by sampling colorful fruits and vegetables while linking colors to nutrients and health. Or participate in Food History Storytelling by comparing what children ate 100 years ago to what they eat today, with drawings or role‑play.
I am beginning a Farmers Market on my campus with secondary students, and I love this idea because it shows how food education can be both practical and community‑building. For older students, I see opportunities to expand on your model by incorporating entrepreneurship, marketing, and sustainability. For example, students could design branding for their market stalls, calculate profit margins, or research the environmental impact of local versus non‑local produce. They might also interview farmers or community members to understand the social and cultural dimensions of food systems. These activities not only deepen their academic learning but also build transferable skills in leadership, communication, and financial literacy. And where should I begin as to how it can connect academically, socially, and the mental health benefits it will add. I'd be very interested in any updated lesson plans or resources that connect these themes to secondary education.
Thank you,
Tina
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Tina Steiner
Round Rock TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-10-2025 11:31:03 PM
From: John Fisher
Subject: Grocery Store and Farmers Market Food Systems Education Resources
Greetings,I am looking for program and lesson ideas for grocery store- or farmers market-based education resources for primary grades.
At Life Lab we ran the Field to Market to You Program with a local grocery store chain in the early 2000's. Do you have any more current activity resources like lesson write ups, slide decks, scavenger hunts or program themes you'd be willing to share.
We recruited and trained UCSC College interns to be instructors of this program. They first visited a classroom and then a subsequent day the class would come and tour the grocery store.
Field To Market to You
4th-6th Grade ProgramIn-Class Presentation, students:
brainstorm the roles of farming, processing, distribution, and transportation in the life cycle of food production
investigate local and non- local food
learn about nutrition labels
New Leaf Community Market Exploration - At their local New Leaf, students:
compare bulk vs. packaged foods
research food labels
play Wow-Cow (an animal by- product game) - learn cool facts about various animals
investigate the nutrition and locality of produce, and sample in-season produce
2nd-3rd Grade ProgramIn-Class Presentation, students:
explore the local food history of Santa Cruz, from the Ohlone to the present
compare foods eaten and prepared throughout history to understand how they differ from food today
New Leaf Community Market Exploration - At their local New Leaf, students:
go on a scavenger hunt to find foods that were eaten by the Ohlone, the Pioneers, and by us today
tour the operations of their local grocery to see various aspects of store management
sample delicious treats throughout the exploration.
-- JOHN
John Fisher - Director of Programs & Partnerships - 831.471.7831
Life Lab cultivates children's love of learning, nourishing food, and nature through garden-based education.
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with locations in Santa Cruz, CA
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John Fisher
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