FARMS has used Taste Tests in the classroom as a key method to bring local foods and local farmers into the schools.

Taste Tests have been integrated with the current focus within each classroom. The 1st Taste Test involved Mrs Fake's 2nd grade that was studying Africa. While the food prep was very hands on, they also heard from a guest, Polly Noyce who talked about farming in Kenya.

Polly Noyce Mrs. Fake's 2nd grade best photo

The kids also learned about local farms from farmers like Jeff Burchstead speaking here to Sue Lewis' 7th grade.

GSB taste test 4 Jeff Burchstead with Sue Lewis 7th Grade
FIRST CLASSROOM TASTE TEST On March 6, 2006 - Notes from 2 students

On March 6, 2006 we made a soup that was called Carrot Soup with African Spices. In the classroom we peeled potatoes and carrots, we grated ginger and we smelled cumin and coriander.
Natalie Whitney holding kale


We had helpers Amy Winston, Heather Wolfe, Anne Pfeiffer and Karen Kleinkopf, they did the chopping.

We each carried an ingredient from our classroom to the kitchen. We took it in turns to stir everything in the pot. After 15 minutes the soup was ready to be pureed. While we waited we drew fruits and vegetables with pastels, did “vegetable acrostics” and read about farms.

We all enjoyed making the soup. We tasted it...... The grown ups thought it was excellent, we’re not sure if we liked it. We hope other children in the school like our soup when they try it. We are going to add more potatoes and less orange juice.
Dick Marchi

We all enjoyed making the soup. We tasted it...... The grown ups thought it was excellent, we’re not sure if we liked it. We hope other children in the school like our soup when they try it. We are going to add more potatoes and less orange juice.

Olivia York and Brandon Barter, Mrs. Fake’s 2nd Grade Class