So where does our food come from anyway? If your kids have figured out that bottles, boxes, and jars are just the last step before your kitchen, then it is time to see just how food starts out. There are plenty of public gardens that highlight the importance of beneficial insects (bees and butterflies!) in agriculture. The DC area also offers dozens of Farmer's Markets, nearly year-round, where kids can check out local produce and plants and meet the people that grow it. Farther out, you can visit a Pick Your Own lot for fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables.

Food they pick really does taste better, and dinnertime might get a little easier.

• Farmer's Markets
• Gardens
• Nature Centers
• Pick Your Own (PYO)