Research suggests the average consumer is at least three generations from actually living on a farm.

With this longterm disconnect from our agricultural heritage – many do not have a basic understanding of how food shows up on our plate.

Often, discussions on food characteristics, food sources and food processing are based in misunderstanding. The food system we are privileged to take advantage of offers an abundance of safe, nutritious and typically affordable choices. A deeper awareness of this complex and productive food system may be a meaningful goal.

The "My American Farm" project (www.myamericanfarm.org) teaches agricultural literacy to consumers and the public through an interactive computer game.

Players learn where food comes from and how those products get from the farm to their dinner plate.

"My American Farm" is an online educational game that lets students learn about agriculture while having fun.

This project strives to be a credible source for agricultural literacy information with materials and programs designed not only to reflect reliable information, but also to meet today's standards of learning.

Every effort to produce outstanding materials, creates accurate resources, and provides opportunities to tell the story.

Kindergarten through second grade kids can now Explore the Farmers Market online.

The popular "Farmer's Market Challenge" game has been updated to include kindergarten to second grade learners. The game has been updated to give students the opportunity to practice essential math skills while learning about food and healthy choices.

The Farmers Market Challenge game, aligned to Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, also now includes an "Easy Reader" e-Comic book that takes young readers on a virtual trip to a farmer's market with their friends.

"My American Farm" currently has educator resources, fun family activities, videos, e-readers and 16 online games, including its first pre-kindergarten–kindergarten game, "In My Barn."

The food we eat can originate locally or it may come from a family farm in a different state.

The processes the food we eat undergoes can be many. There are many opportunities to become more informed consumers as we make informed decisions when considering our food choices.

The examples given of interactive, electronically available educational tools may be useful for expanding awareness in the next generation of food consumers.

Editor's note: John Berry is the agricultural marketing director for Penn State Extension, Lehigh County.