WARREN STREET FARM MARKET SUPPORTS "KIDS IN THE KITCHEN"

PRESS RELEASE

10-27-09 - Since the Kids in the Kitchen/Yoga Buddies after-school program at the Hudson Youth Center began in September, Carole Clark has been bringing a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables from Migliorelli’s Farm Store, located at Third and Warren streets in Hudson, to the Youth Center kitchen. The produce is donated to the program, owing to the enthusiastic support of Migliorelli’s manager, Mercedes. Her commitment to fresh farm produce is evident in her pleasure in talking about, handling, cooking, and having children learn about and taste the vegetables and fruits. Migliorelli’s Farm Market opened at the corner of Warren and Third streets this spring. Each morning freshly harvested produce is delivered to the store from the Migliorelli Farm in Tivoli, NY. The farm store’s generous contribution is augmented by the children’s harvest of their Garden of Incredible Edibles, located next to the Youth Center on Third and Union streets.

Recently, Migliorelli peaches were transformed by little hands into peach tartlets that looked like they came from a French patisserie. Making and rolling out the dough was a first-time experience for most of the kids, and one of the children had never before eaten a peach.

Beautiful vegetables, some unfamiliar to some children, were used in stir fry, fritters, salads, and a pasta sauce. The children learn how to use a knife safely to prepare the vegetables.

Introducing the children to new foods that are grown locally—such as apricots, eggplant, zucchini, and even kohlrabi—is one of the goals of the program. Learning to use equipment and doing basic food preparation are the main activities, now that the garden season is ending. New foods like stir fry, frittatas, fritters, apple crisp, chocolate zucchini cake, and stuffed vegetables have delighted the kids, much to the surprise of visitors who came to dinner as guests. Surprise and pleasure in the discovery and enjoyment of new foods are part of the fun and defy the popular notion that children won’t like unfamiliar food. A very important aspect of the experience of the Kids in the Kitchen program is sharing the meal that they have prepared. Learning table manners and the art of dinner conversation as well as serving and welcoming guests are also integral parts of the program.

The group is working toward the preparation of a family supper, to which each child may invite two guests. The family supper occurs once during each six-week session.

For further information about the Kids in the Kitchen/Yoga Buddies program contact Trudy Beicht, Youth Center Director, at the Hudson Youth Center, 828-0017.