The Community Food Project is a broad look at food systems and the effect of our food choices on the health of humans, communities and ecosystems.  We will take an active role in establishing a sustainable food culture in our own community by working in several local garden projects including the Libby Booth Hoop House Garden and the Project Solutions Garden at Pine Middle School.  The Community Food Project will be designing, planning, building and maintaining a green house here at Rainshadow.   We will discuss food related health issues such as diet, nutrition, obesity, heart disease and diabetes.  We will examine social issues surrounding different types of food systems.  Everyone will be required to spend time outside of school taking field trips and working regular hours in the gardens.  Students will earn a half credit of health and a half credit of science and will be eligible to become a certified Junior Master Gardeners.   

There are many laws surrounding school lunch programs.  We will be completing a multi-part assignment to learn about these laws. Complete Part 1-3 and post them to your Weebly under your ID page. 
PART 1: You will need to research 5 different laws created to monitor and regulate our school lunches and then create a presentation to share these laws ( a TYPED paper, poster,  powerpoint, prezi, video or glogster).  For each law list the following information:
    - The name and date the law was created
    - What the law requires (what it says) and how it effects school lunches.
    - Who created it and what their motive was for creating it (why did they want this law?)
    - One paragraph explaining your reaction to this law.  What do you think about it . . . is it a good law?  Would you      
      change it . . . how?  What would you replace it with?
PART 2:  Research 5 different facts about the state of our school lunches and the health of our student populations.  Then, create a presentation to share these laws ( a TYPED paper, poster,  powerpoint, prezi, video or glogster).  For each fact list the following information: 
    - The fact.
    - Why the fact is important or meaningful.
    - List your source (make sure you are using reliable sources)
PART 3: Create an interview for a school lunch law adviser (someone responsible for creating our school lunch laws.  Your interview must be  TYPED and include the following:
    - Who would you want to ask these questions?  (Examples include: a district, state or national policy maker for            
      either education, health or agriculture, major industrial food corporations responsible for producing our          
      prepackaged lunches, or people trying to change our school lunch program).  Pick one specific person and explain
      why you picked them.
    - Type out 10 interview questions that you would want to ask this person.  Your questions should be                    
      thoughtful, creative and appropriate. 

Read the document below, take notes on chapter one.  Answer all the questions in chapter 2 . . . these answers will be difficult to find (you will have to do some research!).  Turn both parts in together. 

In the spirit of our school garden goals, we have built a mycology tank to grow mushrooms.  Below you will see some photos of our mushrooms!  We have been harvesting these mushrooms to use for school lunches.

You will be creating lunch menus for our school lunch project.  We will start by creating some menu ideas.  For each suggestion, you will need to include a recipe and the nutritional information.  Write out your ideas and be sure to include the following:

·         An outline of what is included in your menu: main dishes, side dishes and beverages.
·         Recipes for each item on your menu (your recipe should feed 100 people,  you will probably need to recalculate your recipe).
·         Nutritional Information for your entire lunch menu (be sure you use the healthy guidelines listed on the website).  List out the calories, and nutrients per individual serving.   

Create at least 2 menus.  Pick one of them and cook it at home for yourself, your friends or your family.  Take a picture of your meal.  Write two paragraphs that explains what you think of your meal.  Was it tasty?  Was it nutritious?  Was it easy to make?  Was it expensive, how much would it cost?  How would you change this recipe or menu to feed our school?  Do you think everyone would enjoy this meal?   Extra Credit for vegetarian or vegan meals!