On Farm Cooking Projects

Not only are students at Kalapuya High School learning about where food comes from and how to grow their own food, they are also learning how to take that food and turn it into delicious and affordable meals. Students also participate in a 100-mile cooking course, in which as many of the items we use are whole foods locally sourced from within 100 miles of the school, using recipes in line with the season.  

The Bethel Farm to School program provides students with a nutrition and cooking class series in collaboration with Oregon State University (OSU) Extension’s nutrition program. In these classes, students learn about healthy eating and prepare meals using produce from the Bethel Farm. Students are exposed to the OSU Food Hero recipe bank, making it easy to recreate the dishes from class at home.  

KHS students also participate in a sustainable agriculture and culinary arts career pathways program in which those interested in pursuing these careers can receive mentorship from a professional in the field.

We additionally collaborate with Food for Lane County to provide Kalapuya students with a “Shopping Matters” tour of a local grocery store. On the tour, students learn how to shop for healthy foods on a limited budget. Students and teachers alike have loved this class series, and students have become more adventurous eaters in the process. Bethel students are invited to harvest produce from the farm, making the decision to use more fruits and vegetables when cooking at home an easy choice.