The story of food begins with a farmer. Why do we give our chefs stars and awards, but we forget about the part our food producers play?

Chefs get awards, stars and recognition for their creations. But what about our farmers? Without them, we wouldn’t have the fresh food we need on a daily basis and the food to make any of our cherished dishes. Aren’t farmers the real heroes? Shop at your local markets and get to know your farmers. Giving them your business is giving them your recognition and respect. Agriculture isn’t just work, it is art. There is so much that goes into making our food. It takes seeds and soil, water and work, protection and patience. Did you know that it takes 50 litres of water to produce one orange? Our food choices affect the health of our planet and our future of food. When you eat, you are taking in natural resources and the hard work of the farmers, bees, harvesters and others who got the food to your plate. Appreciate food like you would a piece of art.

Our bodies run off of calories and nutrients. We get our energy and maintain our health from good food. We normally don’t pay attention to the power that food and nutrition have over our bodies. We need to respect that food is fuel. Too much of it, or too much of only one kind of it, can lead to obesity, deficiencies or diet-related diseases.

Do kiwis come from trees or bushes? Are tomatoes a fruit or vegetable? By learning more about our food, where it comes from, when it is in season and what it takes to produce it, we grow in our knowledge of and respect for what we are eating.

By treating each meal with pride, we respect the farmers who produced it, the resources that went into it and the people who go without. Respect can be passed on. Talk to the people around you and to the next generation about making informed, healthy and sustainable food choices.