June 5, 2012

Food Works Report 2012: In early 2011, Megan and Darren of One Tomato approached Lambton-Kent Ag-in-theClassroom with a proposal for a partnership in delivering a new version of the Healthy Eating Club in Lambton County schools. The proposal included modifications to the existing program, including: Grade 7 students All students in the class During class time with the teachers assistance, with programs running from 90 to 120 minutes Chef and Food Service worker instructors A mandate to source as much local, in-season food as possible A commodities and careers section, ongoing throughout the school year A bus trip to a local farm

A chart showing the breakdown of cost and participation is included in this report. After some delay, Food Works was launched in the fall of 2011 with the beginning of the Commodities and Careers section of the program. LKAITC facilitated this section of the program. The in-class section of Food Works began in January 2012, supported through funding from the Sarnia Community Foundation. Four classes participated in the program, with classes being chosen on a first-come, first-served basis after the initial invitation was sent out through the school board. The four participating schools were: Queen Elizabeth II and Errol Road School in Sarnia, and Kinnwood Central School and St. John Fisher School in Forest. There was also a waiting list for other interested schools. One hundred and five students participated in the 12 week program. Three schools ran 90 minute programs, with one school running a 120 minute program. Forest schools had a Food Service worker and Food Works 2012 Report 1

two volunteer instructors, and Sarnia schools had a culinary student from Lambton College and two volunteers in each class. Students learned basic cooking skills such as knife safety, kitchen safety, how to slice, dice, mince, saut, fry, bake, and knead foods. They learned to cook with local and regional foods, such as locally grown potatoes, cabbage, leeks, peppers, onions, beef, blueberries (frozen), strawberries (frozen), and used flour from the Arva Flour Mill in all baking. There was a significant focus on healthy food choices, and great discussion surrounding food marketing and the importance of breakfast. Recipes included: homemade pizza from scratch, using barley flour for the crust; stone soup; homemade salsa from canned tomatoes; homemade tacos and taco seasoning; salads; pancakes, using half barley flour; Croatian pasta; and fried apples. Each class was able to cook a formal dinner for their parents. In all, 375 adults ate dinner prepared by these junior chefs. Turn-out at each dinner was phenomenal, and across the board parents were in love with the program. Teachers gave high praise for the program as well, and several other teachers at each school have expressed interest in participating. Food Works and LKAITC are creating a Farm-to-School program for Lambton County. More funding is being pursued to expand this program. A feasibility study for farm-to-school in Lambton is underway and will be finished mid-summer. Some barriers to success were expected and did occur, but changes are planned for future years of the program. Barriers included miscommunications regarding the Commodities and Careers section, with this portion of the program fizzling out in January. Other barriers included the number of volunteers required and the complete lack of kitchen facilities in some schools. Food Works is being re-developed for the 2012-2013 school year, with more emphasis being placed on complete meals instead of just meal components. Students love the concept of Eat a Rainbow, but expressed how they would like to see it used in a whole meal like breakfast, instead of in a theme week, like Red. One Tomato hopes to continue with the LKAITC partnership for the Agricultural Commodities and Food Careers section. Megan ONeil and Darren Hakker, One Tomato

Food Works 2012 Report 2

Food Works 2012 Funding from Sarnia Community Foundation: Overages covered by One Tomato Project: Bus Trip funding from Sun Life Financial Total Cost of Program:

$3,200.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 $4,700.00

Actual Cost per Classroom: Estimated cost per classroom: $700

$1,175.00

Participation: School: Errol Road School, Sarnia Queen Elizabeth II, Sarnia Kinnwood Central, Forest St. John Fisher, Forest Students: Day and time: Wednesday, 11:30 23 1:00 28 Tuesday, 8:40-10:40 31 Monday, 1:00 - 2:30 23 Monday, 8:40 - 10:05 105 Volunteers: Megan, Stacy, Kathleen Megan, Stacy, Kathleen Kari, Theresa, Megan Kari, Theresa, Megan

Food Works 2012 Report 3