FoodCorps Service Member Gets Taste of Umatilla
Ellie Dutcher gets to know Oregon through food and gardening in her role as a FoodCorps service member.
Deadline today! Apply by March 27 to teach, learn, and grow with FoodCorps. Learn more.
Ellie Dutcher gets to know Oregon through food and gardening in her role as a FoodCorps service member.
By Jessica Pollard for the East Oregonian
The best is yet to come for Ellie Dutcher.
Dutcher, who recently graduated from Southern Oregon University, moved to Umatilla this summer to serve as one of nine FoodCorps service members across Oregon.
Being part of FoodCorps — an AmeriCorps grantee — means whipping up snacks and serving nutritious lesson plans at McNary Heights Elementary all year long. During their one-year terms, service members like Dutcher aim to connect kids to healthy food.
But what she’s really excited for is growing a garden — which will likely house herbs, as well as all the makings for salsa — with the students this spring.
“We’ll plant the seeds, and we’ll grow them together,” she said. “And in the spring, we’ll get to eat them together. That’s where I think the magic will happen. When kids are that connected to the food, you see some minds change.”
Because part of her role is introducing foods that will be in the cafeteria to Umatilla’s elementary-schoolers via taste tests, Dutcher knows that kids can be critics when it comes to cuisine.
“Kids will look at me like, ‘Oh, that’s gross,’” she said. “I slowly convince them to try something, and their face will light up.”
Vilsack Announces Grants, Proposed Rule Changes to Help Schools Feed Kids
FoodCorps Welcomes Kenya Bradshaw and Dr. Basil Smikle Jr. to Board of Directors, Congratulates Rachel Willis on Appointment to Co-Chair
FoodCorps Announces New Supporters for Nourishing Futures Initiative to Ensure All Students Have Equitable Access to Food Education and Nourishing, Free Meals by 2030
Together we will nourish futures for every student. Share your email address, and we'll make sure you have the tools to take action and join the movement for food education and free, nourishing meals in school.
You’re one in a million!* Thank you for joining FoodCorps in our efforts to mobilize 1 million supporters for Nourishing Futures. Your support will help us support children’s health and wellbeing today, allowing them to grow and thrive tomorrow.
* You’re one in a million, but we’re sure you know other like-minded folks. Share your commitment to FoodCorps’ Nourishing Futures initiative on your favorite social media platform.