______ always occupy the first level of a food chain.
producers
All food chains start with producers. Green plants prepare their own food and they are called producers. They always occupy the first level of a food chain. Organisms that depend on other organisms for their food are called consumers. Organisms that depend on plants are herbivores and animals that depend on other animals for food are carnivores. Organisms that break down organic remains and adds them to the soil are called decomposers.