Youth Cooking Program
Youth Cooking Pilot Program
Our youth cooking pilot program hosts cooking classes for 14-18 year olds with the goal of teaching basic kitchen skills and recipes while instilling the value of supporting their local food system. Our goal is for youth to know how to confidently source fresh food and prepare a healthy meal by the end of the course!
What participants learn:
- Students are introduced to various culinary skills from a professional chef as they prepare healthy meals with crops sourced from local farms.
- From kitchen safety and knife skills to the art of sauteing and plate presentation, students walk away with a new appreciation for enjoying fresh, healthy food.
- We also discuss sustainability in relation to food choices, addressing topics like seasonality and the health benefits of eating whole foods.
- Offering a chance to experience what it takes to grow food and harvest fresh bounty, we visit a local farm where we work side by side with a farmer and see what is growing locally and why.
What’s Next?
Our vision is for programs like this one to engage our youth and wider community in the local food system while building culinary career skills.
We are striving to build interest in the creation of a program that supplies healthy meals to those who need it most. Inspired by Ceres Community Project in Sonoma County, we would like to bring Solano County access to medically tailored meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients and made by local community members for those who are chronically ill. With a recent bill passed that allows insurance companies to cover the cost of these meals, we see a vital opportunity to bring our community access to healthy, locally sourced food prepared by fellow community members.
From workforce development to youth volunteers experiencing giving back with a purpose, we believe this program could offer many long-term benefits to Solano County.
Learn More
Celebrating Outstanding Service: Honoring Noah Galgan and Stephanie Oelsligle Jordan
In recognition of their exceptional work to reach Solano County youth through Sustainable Solano’s Youth Wellness Program, Local Food program managers Noah Galgan and Stephanie Oelsligle Jordan were recognized at the 19th Annual CAC Recognition Awards.
Introducing the new Solano Local Food System Alliance Logo
The Alliance Steering Committee began this process about a year ago in collaboration with a graphic designer to enhance our presence in the county (and among other food policy councils) and provide a brand for when we engage in advocacy, policy work and send statements to outside groups.
Why Understanding Air Quality Matters More Than Ever in California
Air quality is something many of us take for granted — until it becomes a problem. However, with careful planning, we can protect ourselves while indoors. Learning about air filtration, monitoring air quality indexes, and improving indoor air circulation can help you stay safe.