Fresh Food Explorers Prove It: Early Food Education Works

If we want kids to eat better, maybe we need to start by letting them grow it, chop it, and taste it themselves. That’s exactly what Real Food For Kids (RFFK) is doing—one vegetable at a time.

Their program, Fresh Food Explorers, brings food education into preschool classrooms across the DMV. Over the course of eight weeks, children discover the joy of tasting new vegetables, learning simple recipes, and exploring where food comes from. It’s hands-on and surprisingly powerful: kids who grow kale, really do eat kale.

This week, their journey culminated in a graduation ceremony complete with diplomas and handmade veggie garlands—each one a tribute to the colorful vegetables they explored this spring. The celebration was a showcase of brilliance, bravery, and, of course, broccoli. As Pomp and Circumstance played, the children walked proudly to the front of the classroom, embodying their new roles as real-life veggie superheroes.

Students walked to the front of the classroom wearing their veggie garlands to grab their diplomas.

One of the most memorable moments came during lunch, when the kids were given kale chips to try for the first time. Just last week, one girl had been hesitant to try any new vegetables—but this time, she took one bite, lit up with excitement, and immediately opened her chicken patty sandwich to pile the kale chips inside. Beaming, she took a big bite and had only one word to describe her creation: “Delicious!”

Preschoolers at Carlin Springs Elementary try kale chips for the first time.

Moments like these aren’t just heartwarming—they’re backed by research. Studies show that early food education programs like Fresh Food Explorers can help shape healthy eating habits that last well into adulthood. Childhood—especially between ages 2 and 8—is a critical window for developing food preferences, and those preferences are formed through hands-on experiences.

Experts emphasize that it’s not just what we feed kids, but how we engage them with food that matters. Programs that involve children in growing, preparing, and serving food increase their willingness to try new things. These positive, repeated interactions—paired with autonomy and a supportive environment—are among the most effective ways to encourage kids to enjoy healthy foods and build lifelong habits.

Kids brought home coloring books and pins that read “I’m a Veggie Superhero"!” at the conclusion of the 8-week Fresh Food Explorer Program.

At Area 2 Farms, we believe that the path to healthier communities starts with helping kids understand where their food comes from, and giving them a chance to be part of the process. That’s why we support food education programs and work with schools to bring fresh, organically grown produce directly to families.

Through our Feed the Brain fundraiser, we partner with local schools to encourage parents to get their veggies from the farm, providing their households with nourishing, seasonal vegetables while also raising money for school initiatives. It’s a win-win: families get delicious, farm-fresh food, and schools get meaningful support—all while reinforcing the message that real food matters.

Watching a preschooler light up over kale chips might seem like a small moment, but it’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we give kids the tools to explore real food with curiosity and joy. Programs like Fresh Food Explorers lay the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy habits, and at Area 2 Farms, we’re proud to be part of that journey.

Whether it’s through our school partnerships, fundraisers, or the vegetables we grow each season, we’re committed to helping kids—and their families—connect to the food on their plates and the farms it comes from. Because when kids grow kale (or taste it, or talk about it, or pile it on their sandwiches), they’re not just eating better—they’re building a healthier future.

Want to help Real Food For Kids continue this work in the community? Donate here.

Area 2 Farms for Locals

Your food should be equally accessible and nutritious. Which is where we come in. We’re Area 2 Farms, we grow organic produce, deliver it to your door weekly, and operate all within 10 miles of you.