Science in Your Shopping Cart shows us just how much science is behind the everyday items we use, eat, and wear. In the United States, we pay less for food than almost any other country. Every year, researchers introduce dozens of new and improved varieties of fruits, vegetables, and other products. But as we walk through the grocery store, do we ever stop to think about where this incredible abundance and variety comes from? This book helps us understand the science that makes it all possible.

When we think of farmers in Oregon producing popular crops such as beets, blueberries, hazelnuts, onions, and grapes, we might not first think of art supplies. However, these food crops, along with many other plant materials, often find their way into the art studio! Many paints, drawing tools, and fabric dyes contain pigments and tannins, which come from agricultural commodities, even rock and soil! This lesson allows students to utilize foods and other plant materials to discover exciting, naturally occurring colors growing in their gardens or school yards.

Download Lesson Plan here: The Art of Food Plant Pigments and Tannins