For Parents
Welcome!
My mission is to inspire your child to love fruits and vegetables because kids are more likely to thrive when they eat five a day.
If you’ve been informed that your child is receiving this food education at their school, this is the page where you’ll find all the recipes that accompany the workshops.
Each week, your child will learn about the benefits of a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables through the adventures of our tiny friend, Magnolia (Maggie) the harvest mouse.
From parsnips to peppers, they’ll get hands-on experience with a rainbow of foods and participate in fun activities like making beetroot playdough, finger painting with blackberries, and brewing a calming herbal tea.
Through group tasting sessions, your child will also have the opportunity to try these wonderful foods.
Hungry Ears Food Education is available exclusively in schools and nurseries. If you’d like your child to participate, please inform their school or contact me, and I’ll be happy to reach out to them.
Why is food education important?
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Studies show that when children understand why a food is good for them, they are more likely to eat it.
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We also know that children tend to eat what is familiar, so exposing them to a wide variety of healthy foods early on helps broaden their tastes.
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Regularly eating fruits and vegetables—rich in essential vitamins and minerals—supports optimal growth and development and can set the foundation for a healthy adult life.
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You can help at home by getting your child involved in cooking! Explore our free content below for easy, budget-friendly recipe ideas.
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Follow us on social media to see the fun children have with fruits and veggies each week and get great tips on encouraging your child to eat five a day!
Don't Give Up!
Repetition is key to helping your child develop a broad and varied diet, so don’t be afraid to experiment in the kitchen to support their learning at home.
Don’t worry if they don’t like a food the first time—it can take 20 or more tries for a child to accept something new.
Simply keep offering it without pressure, and don’t expect them to eat it all. Just like Maggie the mouse, one small bite at the beginning is a great start!
Lead by example—children are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they see you enjoying them too.
Most importantly, make it fun! If they help prepare a new recipe, they might be more willing to take a bite.
Encouraging your child to cook and enjoy fruits and vegetables is one of the best investments you can make in their future health.
