Are children naturally picky eaters? Whether it’s chicken nuggets and fries, or pasta and tomato sauce —American children have long enjoyed the privilege of kid’s menus and meal alternatives to otherwise more adventurous “adult foods.” But it hasn’t always been this way. In the 19th century, the idea of pickiness hadn’t yet existed as a concept, and Americans, including children, were eating more plants and animals than today — and with far more pleasure. So what changed? The answer is more complicated than you would think. We discuss how pickiness emerged as a conventional part of American culture, the implications the habit poses to children’s health and the best way to encourage kids to diversify their pallets.

Guest: Helen Zoe Veit, author of Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History and associate professor of history, Michigan State University

Tour de Farm

Slow Food First Coast will host the return of its popular Tour de Farm, offering residents and visitors a unique opportunity to explore working farms, meet local growers and experience the region’s agricultural heritage across St. Johns County. The tour comes at a time when Florida farmers are struggling the most. After a recent cold snap caused an estimated $3 billion in agricultural losses for the state, we hear about the impacts to local growers and how local farmers are adapting. The tour will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 12.

Guests: Prissy Fletcher, agricultural liaison and grants and policy analyst, St. Johns County Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

Discovering purpose

What is my purpose? It’s a question everyone may think at some point in their lives, but it’s also the topic of a new workbook written by the leader of Rethreaded, a local nonprofit that helps survivors of human trafficking. The book is designed to help people better understand themselves, providing space for personal responses, while also sharing the author’s personal anecdotes from her life. The book will be featured at the first annual Rethreaded Process Conference: Purpose Edition at 9 a.m. April 18 at the group’s main building, 515 E 9th St.

Guest: Kristen Keen, founder and CEO, Rethreaded