Vrtec Vrhnika, enota Želvica

As part of the challenge, we embarked on an exploration of food. We decided to investigate where food comes from. The children were able to list some healthy foods independently, but we quickly realized they preferred foods that should be eaten less frequently and aren't very healthy for our bodies. Through this process, we encouraged the children to try new foods at kindergarten, and many discovered that just because something doesn't look appealing at first doesn't mean it won't taste good.

Next, we explored the origins of food. The children's answers about where food comes from made us smile, but also revealed their limited experience with food production and their unclear understanding of its sources. This is completely understandable, as children today are rarely directly involved in growing food, although they often accompany adults during grocery shopping. Through encyclopedias, stories, short videos, discussions, and testimonies from children who had firsthand experience, we gradually learned about food origins.

By the end, the children understood that food comes from both animal and plant sources and how it is produced. We also explored local versus imported food. Through various games, we learned that local food is healthier and contains more nutrients than imported food. We also touched on the environmental impact of food imports. The children discovered that their bodies receive more nutrients from locally grown or homegrown food, which also has a lower environmental footprint.

We then investigated which types of food are most commonly available and consumed. We visited a grocery store to find answers and had difficulty locating Slovenian fruits and vegetables—most items were imported. The children recorded the exact quantities on a sheet, which later helped them compare the data. Next, we explored how many Slovenian products we could find at the local market. We visited every stand, observed what was being sold, and purchased a few items. The children asked where the food was produced and found only Slovenian products. At both locations, we discovered several foods the children had never tried before. We bought these items and tasted them together.

At kindergarten, we first observed, touched, smelled, and compared all the purchased items throughout the week before tasting them. Each child created a tasting booklet where they drew individual fruits, vegetables, or prepared dishes made from our purchases. They rated how much they liked each item using stickers. We used vegetables bought at the market to prepare pumpkin and cauliflower soup.

Finally, we explored what happens to food when it becomes waste and what we can do to minimize food disposal. We used a scale to weigh leftover food and compared quantities over a week. We discussed strategies for reducing food waste.