Pallasch, Maresa (2025) From Farm to Fork: Children’s Understanding of Food Origins and Social Norms. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Climate change urgently calls for a shift toward plant-based diets. Yet, adults’ eating habits are often resistant to change, making early childhood a key window for fostering climate-friendly food behaviors. This research examined children’s knowledge of food origins and the role of social norms. Building on a U.S. study, we investigated kindergarten children in Lüneburg, Germany, who completed two card sorting tasks assessing their understanding of plant- and animal-based foods and their perceptions of parental approval. Children correctly classified plant-based foods above chance, consistent with prior findings, and, surprisingly, also classified animal-based foods above chance. Older children showed improved knowledge of animal-based items, indicating developmental refinement. Regarding social norms, plant-based foods were perceived as more approved by parents, although nearly all foods received positive ratings. These findings highlight early childhood as critical for shaping food knowledge and social norms around sustainability. Cultural context and food processing are discussed as potential influences on children's responses. Future research should include longitudinal studies and examine how food knowledge and social norms translate into actual changes in eating behavior. Early education addressing both food origins and social norms can empower children as agents of change in climate-friendly eating.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Supervisor name: | Werff, Ellen |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route/Track: | Environmental Psychology (EP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Apr 2026 11:33 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Apr 2026 11:33 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/6359 |
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