Some people are reluctant to give children full reign in the kitchen because kitchen tools and appliances can be very dangerous without proper safety skills and techniques. However, young cooks between the ages of 7-18 are learning to cook and many have shown to be capable of producing restaurant-quality food creations. They might even cook up some dishes that surpass those made by professionally-trained chefs. Why? Because their natural curiosity and willingness to try new things allow them to operate without limiting their thinking in a ‘box’ so they are better able to think outside of it.
With Ohio Farm to School, schools can influence children through the foods they eat and explore. It isn’t just about eating healthier, but arousing their curiosity to learn. It involves taste testings and growing foods in school gardens. It involves asking questions of their cafeteria staff and of those who cook their meals at home about the foods they eat. Farm to School seeks to instill an appreciation for where foods come from, a love of eating wholesome, locally-sourced foods, and a desire to be consumers of healthy foods in the future.
We all need to eat and those who don’t know how to cook tend to eat out more, spending more money on food than is necessary. They also tend to eat more fast food which can lead to health problems that are better avoided. In 2010, it was estimated that over $165 billion was spent on fast food over the stretch of the whole U.S. and according to a recent Gallup poll, it is estimated that 8 out of 10 Americans eat fast food on a weekly basis. Studies show that many people desire to cook and prepare healthier foods, but they lack the knowledge and confidence to do so. Encouraging kids to try new foods and to begin cooking at an early age is a start.
Farm to School will be hosting our very own kid’s cook-off during the state wide conference on March 5th 2015. Teams of students have created menu items using locally sourced foods. Come join us and be amazed what our young talented chefs can do! Register at: www.regonline.com/ohiofarmtoschoolconference.
