Monday, March 07, 2016

UNCW Campus Dining has partnered with Feast Down East and FoodCorps to host a weeklong cooking event at three local elementary schools. Second- and third-grade students at Forest Hills, Winter Park and Wrightsboro Elementary Schools will have the chance to tour a UNCW food truck and cook a healthy snack made from fresh ingredients.

The UNCW food truck will make its appearance at Forest Hills Elementary on Tuesday, March 8; Winter Park Elementary on Thursday, March 10; and at Wrightsboro Elementary on Friday, March 11.

Students will cook with foods obtained from regional farmers, instilling a greater appreciation for local agriculture and the health benefits it provides to their community. By engaging these students in nutritional education, the FoodCorps – a nationwide team of AmeriCorps leaders – encourages children to try new, nourishing foods, and promotes healthier lifestyles they can then take home and share with their families. Jordyn Appel, FoodCorps service member, has led weekly garden- and nutrition-based lessons at these local elementary schools.

“FoodCorps has given my students the opportunity to become gardeners as well as plant-experts,” through hands-on experience, said third grade teacher Ashley Hodges. “My students have loved exploring the rainbow of fruits and vegetables and why they are essential for us to live a healthy lifestyle!”

Feast Down East was established in 2006 as a regional food system that helps local farmers gain access to markets such as restaurants, grocers, schools and hospitals. Its aim is to build a strong local food system and alleviate poverty in rural and urban communities.

Under the direction of Matt Rogers, regional director for Aramark, UNCW Campus Dining is committed to providing a variety of culinary options while incorporating a local, fresh flare to the menus. 

-- Hallie Criste