Let Food Bring Us Together

“I don’t know what it is called but it is delicious.”

“Tastes great.”

“Love it.”

This was the reaction from students in Allie Tyssen’s Grade 5 class at Hillcrest after helping prepare, cook, and eat Pancit Canton, a popular dish in the Philippines, as part of the Let Food Bring Us Together program being organized and offered by Shuswap Food Action Society to local schools.

Mary Rodriguez, from Shuswap Food Action Society, says the society received the grant in March and are using it to provide free healthy meal, multicultural cooking experiences with students.

The “community cook” for Hillcrest was Noemi Greenhough, who is originally from the Philippines and now lives here. “This dish is one of favourites,” she commented with a smile. And the students agreed as many came back to see if they could have seconds!

During the day, while the students were doing food prep, Noemi shared some information about the Philippines and personal stories about life there.

Teacher Allie Tyssen commented the program was great and they are looking forward to the next session! “We are SO fortunate to have had this experience. The kids gave the meal two thumbs up and several said it was two thumbs only because they don’t have more thumbs!” added Tyssen.

“I really appreciated the time to have Noemi (Greenhough) share some stories and answer questions as well.”

The ingredients are purchased from local farmers and suppliers, as much as possible.

Greenhough said this has been the second session she has cooked at and shared information about the Philippines. She said it has been great and that she thinks the students have enjoyed the Pancit Canton. “It has been awesome.”

Rodriguez explains that originally the plan was to do three or four different sessions with the classes, however the program has proved to be so popular it looks like each class will probably only receive two sessions.

She said the meals and stories being shared with students will be from the Philippines, Japan, and Ethiopia.