“Kooking” local foods with Elgin ISD

We’re excited to be in our 2^nd year providing programming about local food and agriculture to Elgin ISD K-5 students enrolled in the after-school program.  The children are involved and engaged in the food preparation process then they get to taste their yummy concoctions!  We source as many ingredients as we can from local farms then purchase supplemental items (like salt or olive oil) from our local Elgin HEB. Our teachers show students locally grown products and how to use them in recipes.  Depending on the age group and complexity of the preparation process, the children are involved in as much as possible then, of course, they get to taste their yummy concoctions! Our wonderful teachers are Lanaye Geiser for K-2^nd graders and Debbie Gaston for 3^rd–5^th graders.  Both classes have similar overall goals: smell, feel and taste new fresh foods; learn what's available from local farms; and learn how to prepare some foods.  There is one field trip to a local farm per 6-week-session (held on a Saturday morning). Our next session starts the week of March 6^th.  If you have a child enrolled in the Elgin ISD ACE elementary program, please ask your Site Coordinator about the Texas Center for Local Food’s leafy classes!