The kids have truly enjoyed the experience, and I have had many parents share with me the effects the program has had on our campers. Beyond the activities they get to enjoy while at camp, campers are actually taking the learnings home and sharing with their families. Parents have told me that their children who would never eat vegetables before are now requesting all sorts of new foods like kale and hummus. It is an amazing experience to see the kids getting to try all sorts of healthy foods, and knowing that it makes an impact on their daily life and health. Thanks again to Veggiecation for making it possible!

Grace Rochford

Program Director at Grosvenor House Y

New York, NY

Veggiecation is the single handed best nutrition and cooking education program I have ever encountered to date in all my years with DOE. The program is 100% applicable grades K-12, day care and for intergenerational programming with Seniors as well as teenage parents with their children.  Lisa's program features over 100 culturally relevant recipes, literacy, art, music in a highly interactive, wholly inclusive model; multiple languages available!

EVEN BETTER is the price point for access to schools, community centers, senior centers, etc. with support. BEYOND THAT, when combined with our indoor growing systems, any school and any site can grow the produce needed for her recipes regardless of having access to a garden or not, INDOORS!  

Stephen Ritz

Educator, Administrator and Founder of Green Bronx Machine

Bronx, NY

Veggiecation offers me the tools I need to teach a comprehensive curriculum based on vegetables, but all while tying in key content areas such as math, reading and writing.  I love seeing my students apply standard bases skills to real world content such as making healthy choices! Veggiecation brings the classroom to life all while students are engaged in a rigorous learning environment.

Beth Reed

Wellness Coordinator and Elementary Educator at PS 146

East Harlem, NY

 We are so happy with your program and with Maurie.  You have delivered such a wonderful program/product.  The children and families are very pleased and we have had a great response again in Winter session registration for cooking. Thank you so much for a great experience so far with Veggiecation!

Charlotta Turner

PS 75 Afterschool Coordinator

New York, NY 

Veggiecation has been an exciting and engaging experience for all members of our community. The response from students, teachers, and parents has been tremendous.  Students from Kindergarten through the 8th grade have expanded their tastes, and Veggiecation has empowered them to make healthy choices when it comes to their diet.  Most importantly, this program has brought a new element of fun into the lunch hour, while teaching students to be responsible eaters.

Whether working with parents and staff members on our Nutrition Committee, helping teachers integrate Veggication into their classroom curriculum, or designing meal plans with our food services department, it has been a pleasure to partner with Lisa Suriano.  I would not hesitate to recommend Veggication or Lisa to any educator looking for an innovative way to inspire children to lead healthier lifestyles.

Marsha K. Nelson

Head of The Cathedral School of St. John the Divine

Manhattan, NY

 I have recently brought my kids to Veggiecation and they enjoyed one of the food sections very much! I just wanted you to know the kids and I enjoy your program very much and your host makes it easier to do just that. She's amazing! It is a pleasure for us to attend your classes with Tashya. Thank you and your program, and keep up the amazing work!

Rashad Blake

Parent at West Side Y/Grosvenor House Afterschool Program

New York, NY

Veggiecation is about tasting. It's about learning to try different foods that are nutritious, broadening the children's perspectives. The children have been so excited! Their curiousity has been piqued: coming in at the beginning of every month, wondering what the next vegetable of the month will be. Students have been arriving at lunch so eager to learn what they would be having. We've worked to engage the entire Lower School in the program. It is very unifying to have one theme that everybody is focused on.

Anne Allen, Lower School Assistant Division Head &Pre-K/Kindergarten Science Teacher at the Greenwich Country Day School

Johnna Yeskey, Head of the Lower School at the Greenwich Country Day School

Commenting on the Veggiecation Program in the GCDS News - January 2011

As a parent of three children at the Cathedral School, I have seen the Veggiecation program encourage my children to become more adventurous vegetable eaters.  By “promoting” their vegetables to the rest of the school the kids learn about why vegetables are healthy and how they help their bodies develop and function.  Allowing the children to take ownership of how the vegetables are prepared encourages them to try new vegetables.  Serving children nutritionally balanced food is important, but educating them at same time about nutrition and how the body uses healthy foods will better ensure healthy eating habits in the future.  Veggiecation accomplishes this goal while making the process fun!

Laura Ross, MD

Parent, The Cathedral School of St. John the Divine

Chair, Nutrition Committee of The Cathedral School of St. John the Divine

We started the Veggiecation Program this spring in the Lower School (Classes K-4).  The students were so excited to be trying “new” vegetables.  I say “new” because while they had sampled most of the vegetables before, we were now preparing the vegetables in fun, different ways and serving them in a non-intimidating “tasting cups.”  Also, by giving students a little information about the featured vegetable— where it comes from and the health benefits, for example,—they became familiar with it and were empowered by the knowledge of why it is such an important part of their diet.

It was thrilling for me to hear the girls come racing up to the lunch room and excitedly ask their friends, “What is it?!  What’s the vegetable??  Sugar snap peas?  Cool!”   Then, unfailingly, during lunch, at least one of the girls would come up to me to share their experience with the new vegetable.

It was key for my kitchen that the Veggiecation recipes were simple to follow and created truly tasty dishes that all of our students and teachers enjoyed.  I could see how proud my staff was to be a part of the learning process in our school.

I must say our first season of Veggiecation was a great success!  We are all looking forward to a fall season filled with more yummy veggies!

Thanks Lisa, for a fun and exciting program that not only brings the students together, but the whole school community as well.

Food Service Manager 

NYC Independent School