From farm to plate: processed food
How food gets from the farm to your plate, and what processed food is. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.
Know it already? Jump straight to the quiz
Fresh or processed?
Fresh (unprocessed) food still looks the way it grew on the farm. Processed food has been changed in a factory or kitchen.
| From the farm | Is processed into |
|---|---|
| wheat | flour and bread |
| maize | maize meal (pap) |
| milk | cheese, yoghurt and butter |
| grapes | raisins |
| oranges | orange juice |
| sugar cane | sugar |
| peanuts | peanut butter |
| potatoes | chips |
The road from the farm to your plate
- At the factory food is processed and packed, for example milk into cartons.
- Factories stand near farms (the raw materials) or near big cities (the buyers).
- Packaging protects the food and gives information, such as the “best before” date.
Why we process food
- It lasts longer: dried raisins and biltong do not go off quickly.
- It is safer to eat.
- It is easier to use, like flour for baking.

Eat more fruit, vegetables and whole grains. They have less sugar, salt and fat than a lot of processed food.

From wheat field to sandwich
- The farmer harvests the wheat.
- A mill grinds the wheat into flour.
- A bakery mixes flour, water and yeast and bakes bread.
- A truck takes the bread to the shop.
- At home you make a sandwich.
People process food by cooking, drying, pressing (orange juice), cutting and mixing it.
Remember this and test yourself
- Fresh food comes straight from the farm: an apple, vegetables, eggs.
- Processed food has been changed: wheat becomes flour and then bread; milk becomes cheese and yoghurt.
- We process food so it lasts longer, is safer and is easier to use.
- The chain: farm → factory → shop → home.
- Eat more unprocessed food: it has less sugar, salt and fat.
Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Ask the food: “Do you still look like you did on the farm?” Yes = fresh. No = processed.
Important words
First say what the word means, then turn the card over.
Match column A to column B
Tap a word in column A, then its meaning in column B. You can also start in column B.
True or false?
Read the question and the answer. Is the answer right? Tap True or False.
Now the real quiz!
The quiz has many more questions on this topic. Every question shows straight away whether you are right and explains why.
Take the quiz: From farm to plate: processed food- Read one part together and ask your child to tell it back in their own words.
- The ticks (“I know this”) are saved on this device only. We never ask for names or emails.
Follows CAPS for Grade 4 Social Sciences (Geography). Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.

