Bite of Brant brings agriculture to life for local students

Brielle Gleiser tries her hand at grinding grain during a hands-on activity at the Bite of Brant program, where students explored how everyday foods are produced from farm to table. Over 1,000 students took part in the annual event held at the Burford Fairgrounds on April 14 & 15. 

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

More than 1,000 students and teachers gathered at the Burford Fairgrounds last week for the 31st annual Bite of Brant program, a hands-on educational event highlighting the importance of the region’s agri-food industry.

Held April 14 and 15, the long-running program introduced Grade 5 students from Brantford and Brant County schools to the origins of their food through 20 interactive stations representing a wide range of agricultural commodities. From pressing apples into cider to exploring farm equipment and learning about environmental stewardship, the event is designed to build awareness of the sector’s vital role in the local economy and daily life.

Organizers say the program reflects the deep agricultural roots of the region, where farming continues to shape both the landscape and community identity. The award-winning initiative, which received an Excellence in Agriculture Award in 2024, aims to connect young consumers with the high-quality food produced in Ontario and across Canada.

“It is important for students to gain an appreciation for the high quality of Ontario food and to have some knowledge of how it is produced, since they are already consumers AND they are our future decision-makers,” organizers noted in a pre-event press release.

The event’s pizza-themed format helps tie together the various elements of food production, with students learning about ingredients such as wheat, dairy and produce before receiving a slice of pizza, an Ontario apple and a carton of milk at the end of their visit. Schools are also supported through transportation subsidies funded by municipal councils and local service clubs, helping ensure broad participation.

For many students, the hands-on experiences leave a lasting impression.

Haylie, a Paris Central School student shared that, “The trip was very fun and entertaining.”

Her classmate, River added, “The pigs were super cute and they were really silly.”

Joelle Renton, the Grade 6 teacher at Paris Central School, said the program offers a unique opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world applications. Her class was able to attend this year after being waitlisted in previous years – a testament to the popularity of the program. 

“This is a valuable learning experience for students as they are able to explore a variety of subjects in the agricultural field that they might not otherwise experience. The event had a wide variety of engaging presentations that helped them understand where their food comes from, and that there are multiple steps between an animal or crop, and how it becomes the food they eat at home,” she said.

She also highlighted the program’s relevance to the curriculum.

“This fits in so well with the Grade 6 science curriculum, as students explore biodiversity and its importance for the environment and its impact on food production, as well as the effects of climate change on our environment and implications for our present and future food sources. I am sure this event opens the door for students to consider jobs or career paths in any of the many fields in agriculture in Ontario and how vital they are to our food production.”

Beyond the classroom connections, the program also underscores the importance of supporting local agriculture in a region where farming remains a cornerstone of the community. By introducing students to the people, processes and innovation behind food production, organizers hope to foster a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the agri-food sector.

The continued success of Bite of Brant is driven by community support, with approximately 125 volunteers and a dedicated planning committee working behind the scenes to bring the event to life each year.