GFC’s Kids Cook goes on the road
Good Food Collaborative’s Kids Cook program has been making a name for itself as a program set up to teach local kids how to cook at home during the summer. The Kids Cook curriculum includes home deliveries of ingredients and recipe cards as well as video lessons instructing kids on cooking techniques.
Last week, the Kids Cook team took their show out into the community, setting up at events at Prairieview Housing and at Build a Better Block’s Backstreet Bash event in downtown Macomb on Saturday. GFC and Kids Cook head chef, Zac Green, explains the goals of this community outreach, “Our goal for these events is to connect people to quality, local food and to get the word out about Kids Cook and other programs run by Good Food Collaborative.”
At the Friday event, the Kids Cook team showcased what can be done with beets, basil, kale and green beans, all produce that is currently available from local gardens and small farms. Green explains, “We wanted to emphasize healthy ingredients that are available at this time of year, especially those vegetables and herbs that are available in GFC’s Victory Gardens.” At Saturday’s Build a Better Block event, the Kids Cook team focused on produce and meat from local farms including brats from Hickory Grove Farm and pesto made from basil donated by Barefoot Gardens. Both farms are located west of Macomb.
The food at both events was offered for free. GFC Executive Director, John Curtis explains how that’s possible. “At Good Food Collaborative, it’s important for us that everyone have access to quality food, regardless of their income. Fellheimer Trust Wesley UMC, the Tracy Family Foundation, and generous local donors invest in our programs to make it possible for us to offer our food and programs for free to whoever might be interested.”
Local residents can expect to see Chef Zac and his team out at other events later in the year. “This is just the start of our community food outreach”, says Green, “you can look for us at the Gazebo Arts Fest, the Colchester Labor Day Celebration, Dickens on the Square and at other future events in and around McDonough County.”
For more information about Good Food Collaborative’s Kids Cook program, Mobile Food Pantry or the Victory Gardens check out their website at goodfoodcollaborative.org, their Facebook pages, email the GFC team at [email protected], or call 309-326-3049.
