On May 23rd, 2011, from 5:30-7:30 pm, the Onteora MS/HS cafeteria will be the site of “Cool Aid,” a Farm-to-Table fundraiser, the proceeds of which will enable the purchase of a walk-in freezer for the school district’s food services. Last year, the freezer was identified by the School District’s Health & Wellness Committee as desirable in helping make the district’s cafeteria food healthier. This event is being staged, under the Woodstock PTA umbrella, and with the support of the district’s PTAs/PTSO/HS Alliance. The freezer would enable the use of local produce beyond the growing season; sealing the nutrients at the height of their nutritive value; reduce spoilage; and redirect our Food Services staff efforts from packing/unpacking the currently overcrowded freezer to have more time to create new menu offerings.
Marybeth and Devin Mills of Peekamoose Restaurant in Big Indian, New York are co-chairing the event, together with parent, Maxanne Resnick. The evening will feature our finest local chefs paired with our local farmers, serving prepared hors d’oeuvres for purchase by attendees. Chefs will include:
Bread Alone – Dan Leader
Cucina – Gianni Scappin
Emerson Resort & Spa – Curt Robair
Mizuna Café – Bill Warnes
New World Home Cooking – Ric Orlando
Peekamoose Restaurant – Devin Mills
Pika’s Quiches – Pika Roels
Red Onion Restaurant – Kevin Katz
The event is open to all, and guests will have an opportunity to hear from our local farmers, along with our very talented local chefs, about the local food cycle—from seed/conception to dinner plate. Pricing is $2 per hors d’oeuvres. We have also received more significant monetary contributions from regional businesses, or folks who are involved and committed to providing healthier food to students starting at $50 increments, with sponsorships starting at $250. We currently have 14 sponsors.
This is a community-wide event, not limited to the school districts’ families. We expect several hundred people to attend. In addition to the chefs/farmers there will be other tables helping inform attendees to learn healthier strategies. They include:
● Master Gardeners from Cornell Cooperative Extension
● Nutritional snacks presented by some of our High School’s Home and Careers students
● Lysa Ingalsbe, Nurse/Holistic Health Counselor with nutritional information
● Juicing and Smoothie stations
● Woodstock Farm Festival
● Onteora student musicians, including Michael DeSisto, Onteora Chamber Ensemble, Onteora Jazz Band and Wecanlele, providing background music
● Food craft stations by Discovery Preschool; First Steps; Windy Ridge and Woodland Playhouse
● Book author, Joanne Michaels, with her Hudson Valley books, including, "Hudson River Valley Farms.”
A silent auction, with notable donations from important foodies, such as famed chef Tom Colicchio, and restaurateur, Danny Meyer’s Gramercy Tavern, along with Hudson Valley smoked salmon from Catsmo; a cooking class with Chef Jessica Bard at Warren Cutlery in Rhinebeck; and gift certificates to Sunflower Natural Foods; a week of chef’s camp at Frost Valley YMCA; and many other fabulous items and services. A complete listing can be found (currently under construction) on the event web-site http://coolaid-onteora.org
