Aoba-Japan students at their new after-school club, “Chef-tastic.” A-JIS
Aoba-Japan International School (A-JIS) is happy to announce the provision of new food programs along with its service partner, To the Moon and Back Catering. These new programs are based on the school’s belief that food is a vital part of daily life beyond basic sustenance. Starting this year, A-JIS began new programs to support a love and knowledge of cuisine that is so needed in this modern world of high calorie, fast, unhealthy, and processed food. The school’s new “slow” food mission is to create and sustain a culinary program that is wholly integrated into the curriculum and culture, as well as daily life.
The 2011–12 school year started with the promotion of international food days, exposing students to new ingredients and new types of meals from around the world. During Halloween, A-JIS students carved pumpkins, baked the seeds, and enjoyed the results as decorations for the annual middle school dance.
An after-school cooking club called Chef-tastic for students from ages 6–16 was launched! Each week, students learn how to read and interpret recipes, how to cook for themselves and their friends, and all about food service professionals as a vital part of every community throughout history.
Weekly food trivia quizzes with tasty prizes are being added to lunchtime, and students and families can now purchase homemade snacks from our new school store instead of buying chemical-laden konbini foods.
Future plans include window farming early in the spring, when each class can grow and observe herbs and leafy greens right in the classroom. This will lead to the development of a full school garden and outdoor classroom in the 2012 school year. Students, staff, and families will be involved in all aspects of farming the garden and preparing, serving, and eating food as a means of awakening their senses and encouraging awareness and appreciation of the transformative values of nourishment, community, health, and well being. — LAUREN SHANNON
