July 24, 2007

The Screaming Avocado Café was started in 2003, as an alternative which provides a healthy alternative to high school students.  The development of 3000 square feet of vegetable gardens, greenhouse and hydroponics operation allows the students to get a seed to table experience.  Local farmers and producers work closely in the development of the operation.  Through hard work of the students the cafe feeds up to 250 students per day.  With everything prepared from scratch including all breads, the students learn how to prepare healthy food to overcome their differences and work as a team.  The connection to farmers and producers provides the opportunity to learn about urban and rural diversity.  The Café provides the opportunity for skill development by affording students hands on learning on a daily basis.  By raising their own product, they develop an understanding for the costs associated with farming and by purchasing directly from farmers and producers they are able to put a face to the products they are using.

Along with 200 Culinary Arts students that take the course yearly, there are the 200 plus each day that eats in the Café, the community members that enjoy the Culinary Club Dinners and the elementary students who visit the gardens and cafe.  The Café and Culinary Arts Program has attracted educators from across Ontario who are interested in setting up a similar initiative in their community