Watch

From Seed to Lunchroom Table

Creator:
Published:
December 14, 2023
August 21, 2023
Watch how Good Shepherd Montessori School is empowering students to save the earth through regenerative farming.

Michele is no ordinary school "lunch lady." Every one of the meals she prepares as the Kitchen and Hot Lunch Coordinator for Good Shepherd Montessori School is farm fresh. Along with Farm Manager and Regenerative Farming Education Specialist Theri and the staff at Good Shepherd, they grow all the food they feed their students right on campus. And the students play a daily role in the farming and prep process — giving them a better understanding of where their food comes from and how it's made.

Theri shares, "The whole idea is that not only is it abundant in the production of nutrition, but also healing the environment all at the same time."

"What I have realized over the years is that our consumers need to be educated as well, and we can't start too young on that, especially with environmental issues of the future. The kids here, when they come out of Good Shepherd, they're so empowered to be part of the solution because they know so much."

Video Transcript

Michele Woody: Chickees! Girls, come in. Don't let them out.

Hi. Yeah, just stick your fingers in and grab it out.

Chickens can remember up to 300 people.

Right now, I am using our farm fresh eggs, from our chickens here on campus, to make my world-famous potato salad. Oh, everybody loves this potato salad. Even people who don't like potato salad tend to tell me that they love it.

[Talking to student] Okay, are you ready? Okay, first off, you need a spatula.

Student 1: Okay.

Michele: The kids do farm chores every day. They take care of the animals. They help plant.

Heather Tuttle: We had 400 pounds of produce from the Good Shepherd Farm.

Theri Niemier: So we try to grow things that we know our lunchroom can use, and Michele sometimes plans her menus around what's available and then finds a way to preserve it — dehydrating or freezing typically.

We have brassicas, which are broccoli, cabbage, kales. Horseradish is a perennial. We have potatoes, which is a big favorite for kids to grow and to eat.

The idea is that we're bringing these plants together in a way that they benefit each other. We call it companion planting. Because of their scientific relationships below and above the ground, they actually produce more because of their proximity to each other than in a monoculture type situation.

Michele: You know where your food comes from. Most kids I think think that meat comes wrapped in cellophane at the store, and they don't understand.

One time we had a little boy who only liked gas station food, but I converted him and he started liking it — regular food. But yeah, so sometimes there's hard sells.

Teacher: Ready for seconds?

Student 2: Yeah, I'm ready for seconds.

Teacher: Is this the best lunch ever?

Student 2: Yes. I liked everything!

Michele: Your body is a machine, and if you put junk into it, it's going to run like junk. And so we strive to stay away from processed foods. There's no processed foods. Everything is from scratch every day.

Theri: And the whole idea is that not only is it abundant in production of nutrition but also healing the environment all at the same time.

What I have realized over the years is that our consumers need to be educated as well, and we can't start too young on that, especially with environmental issues of the future. The kids here, when they come out of Good Shepherd, they're so empowered to be part of the solution because they know so much.

Michele: Every day they tell me it's the best lunch ever. It can't be the best lunch ever, but every day they like it. So it makes me happy. It warms my heart.

Producer Kevin: You guys like your lunch?

Student 3: Yes, definitely. It's the best lunch I've ever had. No, sloppy joes was way better. But this is still good.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
December 14, 2023
August 21, 2023
On a related note...
Finding Joy & Healing Through Photography

Finding Joy & Healing Through Photography

Grotto

Feast of All Saints Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Feast of All Saints Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Are You Building Your Life Around the Wrong Expectations?

Are You Building Your Life Around the Wrong Expectations?

Julia Hogan-Werner

Special Olympics Coach Gives Back | Little Ways: Volunteer

Special Olympics Coach Gives Back | Little Ways: Volunteer

Grotto

Giving Migrants the Opportunity to Work, Earn, and Grow

Giving Migrants the Opportunity to Work, Earn, and Grow

Grotto

The Power of an Enlightenment Experience

The Power of an Enlightenment Experience

Marye Colleen Larme

How to Be a Hospitable Steward of the Earth

How to Be a Hospitable Steward of the Earth

Patrick Cruitt

Love in the Making: Frybread

Love in the Making: Frybread

Alli Bobzien

8 Tips for Having a Healthy Argument in a Polarizing Time

8 Tips for Having a Healthy Argument in a Polarizing Time

Marty Moran

‘Meating Friday’: A New Easter Tradition

‘Meating Friday’: A New Easter Tradition

Ken Hallenius

After 100 Years, Women's Votes Matter As Much As Ever

After 100 Years, Women's Votes Matter As Much As Ever

Mariah Cressy

St. Pope John XXIII Spotify Playlist

St. Pope John XXIII Spotify Playlist

Grotto

Why Sewing is One Answer to a Sustainable Future

Why Sewing is One Answer to a Sustainable Future

Katie Lemaire

"Learning to Live With Not Knowing ‘Why’"

"Learning to Live With Not Knowing ‘Why’"

Megan Toal

'More Than A Book Club' Makes Reading Fun

'More Than A Book Club' Makes Reading Fun

Grotto

Sister Barbara Visits Death Row

Sister Barbara Visits Death Row

Grotto

How I Made Friends When I Came Back to Church

How I Made Friends When I Came Back to Church

Emily Mae Mentock

Having a Rough Semester? Walk it Out

Having a Rough Semester? Walk it Out

Cate Von Dohlen

Youth Running Club Gives Girls Confidence | Little Ways: Mentor

Youth Running Club Gives Girls Confidence | Little Ways: Mentor

Grotto

Easter Celebrations by Grotto Network

Easter Celebrations by Grotto Network

Grotto

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.