A primary objective of the Veggiecation Program is to make incorporating cooking activities into the school day easy! Today we are highlighting a school that has integrated Veggiecation recipe preparation as a bi-monthly part of their Physical Education and Health program. 

To begin the class a teacher introduces the “Special Veggie.” Talking about all of the simple points on the Veggiecation Informational Poster, students learn what part of the plant the Special Veggie is, what season it grows best in and three reasons why the Special Veggie is so good for our bodies. For example, folate in spinach gives us brainpower!

Then the students are each given an opportunity to participate in preparing a recipe starring their Special Veggie.  Children get very excited when allowed to get hands-on with ingredients! In the midst of their enthusiasm, lie math lessons in fractions when discussing 1 cups, ½ cup and ¼ cups.  They are also developing the essential life skill of healthy cooking.

Next, all the children are invited to taste the dish they had a hand in creating.  It is amazing how quickly the initial “Yucks” and “Ewws” can go to “It’s so good!” and “Can I have seconds?” Participation is a major factor in children accepting new foods. 

Lastly, the students are able to color in the Special Veggie – making it their very own. It is heartwarming to hear young children request a copy of the recipe to “show their families how to make it.” Their request is, of course, granted.

Cooking with kids in school IS possible! Contact us to find out how you can make it happen at your school.