This past weekend I had the pleasure of taking a two day class/seminar with the famous Dr. Antonia Demus. This class brought on a flood of promise and worry. The promise was because I met a great group of people of many different backgrounds that were all focusing on the same goal, and the worry that it will be so long before there is any real change in the way the children in our country eat.
We talked about this amazing curriculum that could be implemented in any school in the country. All that is needed are a few volunteers, some basic equipment, food, children and most paramount funding and parental knowledge.
There are so many times that I watch in horror as the children of my school come into the cafeteria with doughnuts and potato chips for breakfast. Or they will have garlic bread and marshmallows for lunch, oh, and some fruit snacks. (That is honestly the lunch everyday for one of the kindergartners.) But I digress.
The curriculum contained many classes that could be presented to a varying group of kids- with all of the recipes, equipment, and basic information for each of the cultures that the classes are based on.
I have to complete a basic written test and then compile a final project that would be helpful to other food educators around the area. I have a brilliant idea that I should put together a website that is dedicated to Pittsburgh Foods, where to find them, when everything that is local is in season. Co-ops, food banks, farms, orchards, greenhouses, and all other interesting and local.
I know that the organic movement is big and fun but for my money local is the way to go because 90% of the time local things are pretty much organic- just with a smaller carbon foot print.
