Every dish tells a story of the seeds — and seed innovations — that make this holiday feast possible. Thanksgiving might be the most delicious reminder of how seed and agriculture connects us all. Every bite of that holiday meal traces back to a seed — sometimes directly, sometimes through the crops that feed the animals or enrich the soil.
At Seed World, we are thankful for all of you in the seed and agricultural fields that make these feasts possible.
Seeds that Feed: Corn, Soybeans and Other Background Players on Your Plate
No Thanksgiving table is complete without the turkey, and while the bird doesn’t sprout from a seed, its feed certainly does. Corn and soybeans — the backbone of U.S. agriculture — grow from seed technologies that ensure high yield, nutrient density and disease resistance. Those same crops feed livestock, power biofuels and support countless products that keep farms thriving.
From Field to Feast: Corn, Green Beans and Stuffing, Oh My!
The classic sides tell an even richer story. Stuffing starts with wheat seed for the bread and sometimes includes celery, sage or parsley seeds for flavor. Green beans grow from Phaseolus vulgaris seed, while sweet corn adds color and sweetness from Zea mays seed. Mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes also connect to the seed world. Even though they’re vegetatively propagated, breeders are using true potato seed to develop stronger, more resilient varieties.
Cranberries deserve their own spotlight. These tart berries originally grow from seed, but commercial cranberries are propagated from established vines to maintain consistency. Breeders still rely on cranberry seed to develop disease resistance, improved cold tolerance and better fruit quality, especially for the glossy, firm berries that stand up to processing. Every can of sauce or homemade relish traces back to those early seed selections and breeding decisions.
The Sweet Finish
Dessert showcases some of agriculture’s most iconic seeds. Pumpkin pie owes its creamy filling to Cucurbita pepo seed, while the crust traces back to wheat. Pecan pie literally celebrates a seed — the pecan nut itself. Apples, though usually grafted, originate from apple seed, connecting orchards to the same cycle of selection and breeding that defines the seed industry.
A Toast to Seeds
Even what we drink tells the story of global seed diversity. Beer begins with barley and hops seed. Wine and cider trace back to grape and apple seeds. Coffee — yes, technically a seed — brings the morning-after energy to brave Black Friday sales.
A Feast Rooted in Innovation
Behind every seed is a lineage of breeders, researchers, and farmers ensuring quality, resilience, and taste. From hybrid corn to disease-resistant wheat to improved legumes, modern seed technology continues to shape how we grow and share food.
This Thanksgiving, as you pass the gravy or carve the turkey, remember: the story of every meal begins long before it hits the table. It starts with a seed — and the people who nurture its potential.
