Milk comes from cows; eggs come from chickens.
Aussie kids seem to know the basics, but when farm produce becomes the everyday foods filling their lunchboxes and dessert bowls, the picture becomes far less clear.
New national research commissioned by Norco Co-operative has revealed striking gaps in what children understand about where some of Australia’s most familiar foods actually begin, with some tracing them no further than Macca’s, the supermarket or even the Mr Whippy van.
While some answers might raise a smile, collectively they point to something more concerning: almost four in ten (38%) children don’t recognise that without farmers, we wouldn’t have enough food.
The research also found:
● One in seven (15%) Aussie kids think hot chips start their journey at Macca’s or the supermarket – not with potatoes grown on a farm.
● Almost one in three (31%) Aussie kids think bread begins at a bakery or bread factory – not as wheat grown on a farm.
● More than one in four (27%) Aussie kids think ice cream starts at an ice cream factory, van or supermarket – not on a dairy farm.
● One in five (20%) Aussie kids believe we’d still get food from supermarkets or factories if there were no farmers.
Research was conducted by Pure Profile on behalf of Norco during August 2026.
The national study surveyed 1,014 Australian parents (nationally representative to gender and location according to the ABS), along with 505 children aged 5–9 years, also participating in the research alongside their parent.
The research explored attitudes and understanding around food provenance, food literacy and the role of Australian farmers.
Image: Sourdough Bread Food – Free photo on Pixabay
