The survey of 2,000 adults conducted ahead of the charity’s Open Farm Sunday (June 17) revealed that 12% thought steak came wheat or maize. More than one in five thought jam or marmalade came from cereal crops.
Caroline Drummond, LEAF chief executive, said: “We often hear reports that our food knowledge may be declining but this new research shows how bad the situation is becoming.
“Despite what they think, young adults are clearly becoming removed from where their food comes from. Three in 10 adults born in the 1990s haven’t visited a farm in more than 10 years, if at all.
“That is a real shame as our farmers not only play an important role in food production but are passionate about engaging and reconnecting consumers too.”
Drummond hoped that as many people as possible take the chance to visit their local farm to find out how food is produced.
British farmers produce 52% of UK food – amounting to about 25Mt, said LEAF.
What youngsters know (and don’t) about food
- Four in 10 adults born in the 1990s thought themselves knowledgeable food.
- 6% of 16 -23 year olds knew salad dressing could come from rapeseed oil, compared with a national average of 24%.
- 8% believed butter came from beef cattle.
- 7% thought milk came from wheat.
- One in 10 thought eggs came from wheat or maize.
- More than one in five thought jam or marmalade came from cereal crops.