building food memories at the little food festival.

By Allira Taylor, Sandro Demaio Foundation

Climbing a plum tree in my backyard and eating fresh plums. This is my earliest food memory. The simplicity of being in the tree, sitting on the branches and biting into a fresh plum is the most beautiful memory I have of being a young child. Sitting on the branches, every sense was nurtured. The sight of the sun coming through the leaves, bugs on the bark, taste of the fresh, warm plum, sound of the birds. It was all such a beautiful connecting experience that has stayed with me for life.

I often ask people, ‘what is your favourite food memory?’ and the vast majority of the time, I hear a story from childhood. Recalling days in the kitchen with Nonna, picking fruit and veg with the family, eating around the table at a family celebration or the first taste of eating home-grown produce.

Our memories of the simplicity of being young, and the ability to connect to nature and what sustains us, remind us of the importance of childhood. Childhood experiences are pivotal to how kids see the world and the choices they make.

Today, global food production threatens climate stability and ecosystem resilience and is the single largest driver of environmental degradation and transgression of planetary boundaries. *

At the same time, fewer than 4% of children aged 2-18 consume the minimum recommended serves of fruit and vegetables for a healthy diet. [1]

Food systems have environmental impacts along the entire supply chain from production, transport, processing and retail and expands its impact beyond human and environmental health, into society, culture and economy. But, it’s not all doom and gloom. 

Thankfully, while food is responsible for some of our greatest challenges, it’s also one of the greatest levers to bring about positive health and environmental outcomes.  With the biggest gap, and therefore opportunity, being planetary health and food systems education. 

Childhood experiences are pivotal to how kids see the world and the choices they make. At SDF we believe, when kids fall in love with the magic of food, how it’s grown, prepared and shared, they grow up ready to care for it, protect it, and champion it

If we can connect kids and families with the food system, we can help them create a healthier future for themselves and the planet.

How you can connect kids with their food system:

The Little Food Festival is Australia’s first food festival especially for kids. It’s a celebration of possibility, two vibrant days of hands-on activities to spark curiosity and excitement about the entire food system. The event empowers the next generation to imagine a brighter future, where people and planet can thrive. Be sure to sign up to the Little Food Newsletter to keep up to date with added dates and locations as we begin to take the event around Victoria and Australia!