In response to the need for affordable, healthy food choices for growing minds and bodies, Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School (PSO) has developed a program called Building a Bistro.
Teachers Karen Johnson and Claudia Morgenthaler are working with volunteers from the life skills, food and culinary arts classes, the Storefront School and grad students to provide fresh, healthy food choices daily, either in the double C block at lunch or C block in the morning.
“Brenda Grant, the healthy meals co-ordinator, is part of this program, too,” says Johnson. “She gets the bistro breakfast going and is a huge help with the lunches.”
The program is supported by local community groups, farms and businesses in the area, Johnson says, adding PSO focuses on food sustainability and share a wealth of knowledge with the South Cariboo Agri-Culture Enterprise Centre and the Horse Lake Community Farm Co-op.
Johnson and Morgenthaler note the program started in February after a lot of work. The kitchen, located by the student lounge, needed to be thoroughly cleaned and upgraded to Food-Safe standards.
The organizers and volunteers wish to make this time special for the students by displaying student art and having musicians during lunch hours.
I’ve asked the jazz ensemble to play and the art class has been asked to display their art along the walls, says Johnson.
The first lunch included potatoes harvested from the PSO gardens, with fresh mixed greens grown by the Agriculture students. Johnson says the breakfasts are a hit, especially the fresh fruit smoothies.
Morgenthaler says the Bistro tries to keep the prices down keeping the costs below $4, so the food is available to all.
“In these tough economic times, options are available for students,” says Johnson. “Any student is welcome to talk with their counsellor.”
For more information or to help, call PSO at 250-395-2461.
