A Heartfelt Thank You

Photography Credit, Artisan Events

When I posted about my son’s little league snack on Monday, I could not have anticipated that it would generate so much interest! Jeez, Louise.

I want to welcome those of you who are new to Little Locavores. In this blog, I write about my efforts and those of my family to eat well. I also often chronicle the work that I do as the Executive Director (or head spear as I like to say) of Purple Asparagus.

Purple Asparagus is a non-profit that educates children, families and the community about eating that’s good for the body and planet. During the school year, we teach our flagship program, Delicious Nutritious Adventures. Delicious Nutritious Adventures gets kids excited about fresh fruits and vegetables through guided tastings and hands on cooking. In the 2011-12 school year, we visited over 30 Chicago Public Schools, providing regular monthly programs in 18 of those.

As the school year comes to a close, we receive the most charming thank you letters both from our kids and from the teachers, two of which I’d like to share here.

First, from the kids:

And then from the teachers:

Dear Melissa,

            We would like to take this opportunity to say a heart-filled thanks for bringing the Purple Asparagus workshops to Galileo.    Our students have loved every minute of the program.  They experienced new foods, tasted what they made and became aware of the huge variety of local and organic fresh fruits and vegetables available to them.

            The presenters were friendly, knowledgeable, and addressed all our students’ questions and insights.  They were patient and understanding to needs of all students.  Each month they came prepared to engage and challenge the children to try nutritious and healthy foods.

            It was exciting to see our kids taste and love unusual fruits and vegetables.  At first we had our reservations, thinking they might not be willing to try these foods, but were we wrong.  Many times students finished the samples and asked for seconds.  More than once we had students ask the presenters to write the foods down so they could ask their moms to purchase the foods for them.  Students also related their trips to Whole Foods in search of these foods.

            It is our hope that Purple Asparagus will be back next year to offer our new first graders the opportunity to experience this exciting and hands-on learning.  Our kids have brought their ideas and experiences home to teach and share with their families. This type of extended learning is what we hope to achieve when we teach each day.  It has been our pleasure to participate and once again, thank you so much.  You have opened our eyes to healthy and good foods.

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                            Jack Beven, Mary Mattson and Valerie Sarvin

                                                            Galileo First Grade Teachers