Garden2Table

Garden2Table is a student run program that promotes food education to children in the greater Guelph community.  Each year a team of students earn an academic credit by providing experiential learning opportunities for local school children.  They also fundraise for an incredible project called the Guelph Center for Urban Organic Farming. (GCUOF)   http://gcuof.wordpress.com/

Made up of four hospitality students and one from the Ontario Agriculture College, this years team delivered innovate and fun programming that made a lasting impact on all  children involved. The year started with the group hosting an incredible dinner in October of last year to thank those who have supported both G2T and the GCUOF over the years.  They then welcomed children from both Jean Little P.S. and St. Ignatius to the organic garden and our teaching kitchens.  The most important part of the year, this programming saw over 50 students involved in planting and harvesting vegetables and then preparing them into a lunch that they would share communally.  This years surprise treat was a visit from  Celebrity Chef Chuck Hughes who joined the kids as they made their lunch,  sponsored by Hellmann’s Real Food program this is a moment the children will never forget! http://www.realfoodmovement.ca/latesttalk/   The student team also partnered with Paul Kelly from the Honeybee Research Center  at the University of Guelph to provide a first hand look at the important role honeybees play in our ecosystem. http://www.uoguelph.ca/ses/content/honey-bee-research-centre

Above and beyond the requirements of the ‘course’, the students hosted a dinner for the Ontario Association of Food Banks.  An interesting challenge for the students, they incorporated ‘rescued and gleaned’ food into a meal they prepared and an enjoyable and educational evening was had by all.

Fast forward to this past week and the team hosted an interactive and educational event for children in our community as part of the University of Guelph’s College Royal. Children and parents enjoyed planting lettuce seeds and making Yoghurt Parfait with Celebrity Chef Ezra Title.  These are just some of the activities that the over 300 people who attended the event enjoyed.

To say that I am proud of these students would be an understatement.  Throughout the year, I have walked beside this group as they have made their way.  They are an incredible group of talented and caring young people. As a University we are proud to have them as our students, as a community we are proud to have them as our leaders!  For more information on the great work that this team has done check out their blog at http://gcuof.wordpress.com/