Kids enjoy cooking at New Leaf Community Markets
Organic, Santa Cruz-based New Leaf Community Markets offers lots of food, coffee, and cooking events, and there are a few cooking classes and events for kids and teens coming up soon at the Westside Santa Cruz New Leaf—including one for the whole family. The July 19 family workshop is taught by Elizabeth Borelli. I took a class with this Beanalicious Living author last fall; she’s a great teacher.
Small Sprouts Workshop for Families: 2-5 p.m. Sat 7/19/14
Engaging kids in food growing and preparation is one of the best ways to start them on a path to healthy decisions. Join award-winning author Elizabeth Borelli for an interactive workshop that will introduce kids to the fun of sprouting, the benefits of knowing how to prepare yummy food. With easy, step-by-step techniques for delicious recipes you can make at home, such as Ten Minute Spring Rolls to Sprouted Wheat Cookies. Preregistration required.
No age minimum, but it’s probably most appropriate for kids ages 5 and up. $20 adults/$10 kids.
Kids Summer Cooking Camp: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon 8/18-Thurs 8/21
The July 21-24 version of this camp sold out, so if you’re interested, I highly recommend you sign up soon! At this four-day summer camp with Chef Lauren, kids will learn how to make all three meals of the day, snacks, beverages and desserts that are all delicious and nutritious. They will also learn healthy alternatives to wheat, gluten, dairy and white sugar along the way. This mini-culinary experience will bring out the chef in each child and they will walk away with a wealth of cooking knowledge. Parents will watch their child excel in the kitchen and be able to take the night off from cooking while their son or daughter whips up a nutritious family meal. At the end of each camp day, the group will enjoy a well-balanced lunch and engage in conversation about food, cooking and healthy habits. (Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free).
Open to kids ages 8-12. $195.
There is also a four-day Teen Summer Cooking Camp from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon 8/4-Thurs 8/7. The description is same as the kids’ one above, except it’s open to teens ages 12-18.
The cost is $195 if you buy an early-bird ticket by July 25. After that, it’s $225.
Food-Flix Film Series for Kids and Teens
New Leaf began hosting a free summertime film series in late June. On selected Fridays at noon, New Leaf invites the community to watch “critically acclaimed documentaries about the state of our current food system while enjoying a healthy afternoon snack.” Ages 8 and up may attend with parents’ consent. On June 27 and July 11 the store aired Food Fight and Forks Over Knives, respectively. Remaining dates and films are below. RSVPs are encouraged but not required.
July 25th – Super Size Me
While examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald’s food for one month.
August 8th – The Future of Food
Before compiling your next grocery list, you might want to watch filmmaker Deborah Koons Garcia’s eye-opening documentary, which sheds light on a shadowy relationship between agriculture, big business and government. By examining the effects of biotechnology on the nation’s smallest farmers, the film reveals the unappetizing truth about genetically modified foods: You could unknowingly be serving them for dinner.
August 22nd – Food Beware – The French Organic Revolution
Jean-Paul Jaud’s documentary visits a village in France where the mayor has mandated an all-organic menu for the lunch program in the local school. Farmers, parents, kids and health care advocates discuss the impact of the decision.
For more information, call 426-1306 or see the New Leaf web site at newleaf.com.
For events, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-leaf-community-markets-westside-2725205834.
New Leaf Westside location: 1101 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz
On Twitter? Follow me @santacruzfoodie.