October 29, 2018
Moncton Market – Culinary Centre, Moncton, New Brunswick
# attendees: 23
Short description:
The overarching goal of this training was to bring together New Brunswick’s 8 Farm to School (F2S): Canada digs in! grant recipients to exchange ideas, build relationships and learn ways to strengthen and sustain their F2S salad bar programs.
The agenda was guided by local farmer and facilitator extraordinaire, Aaron Shantz and enabled participants to learn more about the national Farm to Cafeteria Canada network, receive creative ideas and important advice from experienced school salad bar programs, pose questions to a knowledgeable panel of experts, exchange ideas in a World Café setting, and experience a salad bar lunch choke-full of local New Brunswick ingredients.
Throughout the day, the training participants networked with other grant recipients and explored themes such as increasing student involvement in F2S activities, procuring local food, incorporating F2S activities in curricula, and best practices for the long-term sustainability of school salad bar programs.
Details to highlight:
Participants really enjoyed a Salad Bar 101 presentation by two dynamic guest speakers from Oakville, Ontario’s St Dominic’s Elementary School (2016 F2S grant recipients). Their passion was infectious and the helpful tips and creative ideas they shared were invaluable to participants, most of whom are just starting their salad bar programs.
Another highlight of the training was a lunch and learn presentation by New Brunswick’s Chef Gene Cormier, a chef instructor with the newly launched Apprenti en action – Labo éducatif en alimentation Inc.; a non-profit focused on helping students developpe culinary skills and healthy food habits. During the training, Chef Gene provided participants with local food and beverages making the day an immersive experience. The wonderful salad bar demonstration for lunch showcased easy to prepare healthy local foods.
What were people saying?
“I really liked St. Dominic Elementary School’s presentation of their salad bar success story. It was really inspiring and it really gives a good idea of how to get things started.”
“It would be interesting to have another meeting during the year.”
“Excellent training, I loved my day.”
“Thank you very much for the beautiful day!”
Special Thanks to:
Jesse Veenstra, Farm to Cafeteria Canada
Aaron Shantz, Training Facilitator & Ferme L’Hirondelle Farm
Chef Gene Cormier, Apprenti en action
Rachel Allain, Apprenti en action
Stacey Bean, St. Dominic Elementary School
Jill O’Reilly, St. Dominic Elementary School
Le Marché Moncton Market
