Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker Schools
District Details
Pigeon, Michigan
District Enrollment: 920
District F/R: 50%
District ADP: 85%
Production Model: Self-Operated
School Year Implemented: 2016-2017
# of Grants Awarded: 3
District Details
Pigeon, Michigan
District Enrollment: 920
District F/R: 50%
District ADP: 85%
Production Model: Self-Operated
School Year Implemented: 2016-2017
# of Grants Awarded: 3
Participating Schools
| Laker Elementary | Laker Junior High | Laker High School |
|---|---|---|
| Age Group: K - 5 | Age Group: 6 - 8 | Age Group: 9 - 12 |
| School Size: Medium (301-900) | School Size: Small (Under 300) | School Size: Medium (301-900) |
| School Environment: Rural | School Environment: Rural | School Environment: Rural |
| School F/R: 54% | School F/R: 46% | School F/R: 45% |
| School ADP: 75% | School ADP: 80% | School ADP: 75% |
The district made the decision to hold taste tests in the classroom during the second hour of the day because they found that the students were hungry between breakfast and lunch. During this window of mid-morning hunger, they really appreciated the snack and were more focused on it than if they had received it along with their entire lunch. When passing out the samples, Ms. Marker encouraged the students to smell the food, touch it and describe its appearance before finally tasting it. This helped the students become engaged by the entire sensory experience of the tastings.
The district made the decision to hold taste tests in the classroom during the second hour of the day because they found that the students were hungry between breakfast and lunch. During this window of mid-morning hunger, they really appreciated the snack and were more focused on it than if they had received it along with their entire lunch. When passing out the samples, Ms. Marker encouraged the students to smell the food, touch it and describe its appearance before finally tasting it. This helped the students become engaged by the entire sensory experience of the tastings.
A local bulk food store, Countryview Market, was integral to the success of the taste tests. They provided local produce to the district for the taste tests such as Bosc pears and sugar snap peas. They also served more exotic produce including ruby red grapefruits and mangos. Ms. Marker tried to serve the fruit and vegetables as fresh and simply as possible so the students could get a taste for it without any additives.
Throughout programming Ms. Marker encouraged the students to try produce in the spirit of gratitude. She explains, “I would say to the kids, ‘Take a thank you taste, and if you don’t like it that’s ok. But it’s a thank you to the Chef Ann Foundation.’” The students responded well to that language and eventually were smelling and tasting the food without much prompting.
A local bulk food store, Countryview Market, was integral to the success of the taste tests. They provided local produce to the district for the taste tests such as Bosc pears and sugar snap peas. They also served more exotic produce including ruby red grapefruits and mangos. Ms. Marker tried to serve the fruit and vegetables as fresh and simply as possible so the students could get a taste for it without any additives.
Throughout programming Ms. Marker encouraged the students to try produce in the spirit of gratitude. She explains, “I would say to the kids, ‘Take a thank you taste, and if you don’t like it that’s ok. But it’s a thank you to the Chef Ann Foundation.’” The students responded well to that language and eventually were smelling and tasting the food without much prompting.
