Students take eating locally to new heights
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 6, 2009
GUELPH, Ontario — Could you go without coffee or chocolate for 10 days? These are just two things that the Grade 12 Headwaters class lead by Centennial teacher, Michael Elrick, will not be eating as they take on their local version of the 100 Mile Diet – The Headwaters 100 Mile Challenge.
Beginning June 2 for 10 days, the class will consume only food and beverages that are grown and produced locally, including all ingredients used in preparing meals. The challenge will run at school and at home for week one, and during the second week will include a three night canoe trip.
“It’s our future; it’s our responsibility to learn to live more sustainably. I’ve never been to Chile, so why have my apples been there? ” asked student Sam Gawron.
The class has formed three groups: food sourcing and recipes, public relations, and words publication. This last group will be in charge of developing a final document that will chronicle the entire challenge. It will provide information such as recipes and local sources for food that can be used by anyone who wants to implement their own 100 Mile Challenge.
“It’s exciting to think that with our publication our voices will be heard and may inspire others to take the same journey,” said Kaliesha Boudreau.
Along with visiting local farms to source products, the students are growing their own food at their classroom site at Camp Edgewood in Eden Mills. Their garden includes radishes, spinach, potatoes and herbs and more, some of which will be ready to eat when the diet starts early in June.
“It’s empowering to be involved in every step of our food system, from seeding to sourcing to serving,” commented Emma Young.
The class is already hard at work researching their community outreach project and will launch the Headwaters l00 Mile Challenge on May 11 at the Guelph Youth Music Centre at 75 Cardigan St. at 10:00 a.m. An open invitation is extended to the public and the class welcomes any assistance or product donations.
Teacher Michael Elrick said, “I like to tell my students that we are eating our way out of this environmental crisis with good tasting, local food.”
Students in the Upper Grand District School Board’s Headwaters Program earn four high school credits while learning how to live sustainably on the planet.
For more information and to follow their journey, see the blog at: www.celp.info
Contact person: [email protected] 519-766-3519
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