Orillia mom urges field trips to Costco; kids need to learn where their food comes from.

Angie Knoadle, mother of 1-year-old Hudson, told us “Basic knowledge of the food production cycle is not being passed down to future generations, and I find that really scary.” 

She paused to squeeze puréed squash into Hudson’s mouth, and added, “Food doesn’t magically appear on a dinner plate— kids need to know that first it comes off a truck and workers have to package it; package the packaging, and then package it into a 3-pack. That’s the food cycle, and kids these days are totally unaware of how it all works.”

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Knoadle is part of a growing number of concerned parents who claim the school board is failing to educate students on sustainable food production. She’s joined dozens of parents, urging the board to provide “immersive, experiential learning about food cycles and the importance of food always being available in abundant quantities.” 

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Garret Stockley, stay at home dad of an 18-year-old, told us he had recently visited another grocery store in Orillia and was appalled at the “teensy, tiny food portions.”

“I’m not a bird”, he said. 

While food from other stores is generally available in a single pack, Costco is different.

“We don’t want Orillia families to go without — there’s nothing worse than firing up the BBQ and realizing you’re down to your last 2 litre jug of mayo.” 

We interviewed a local high school student, Maddison, to inquire about her knowledge of food production. 

“I like Starbucks and Kensington Burger,” she said, “but sometimes, I’m like, curious about where they get all of that coffee - and where the heck do burger patties come from? I feel like it’s super important for the up-and-coming generation to know this kind of stuff.” 

When questioned about her knowledge of farming, she responded: “It’s sad they don’t have Costco in third world countries — I hear they have to get all of their food from a dirty field.”

The Orillia Downtown Management Board unanimously refused to acknowledge Costco’s existence. “Wait, there’s a store on that side of the highway?”, said one board member. “Costco? What’s that?” said another.

Both were seen at Costco later that day, wearing wigs and dark sunglasses. 

Cole Bennett is a reporter for Orillia Chatters.