Students will dive into learning about our local seasonal foods and the growers behind them in the Bay Area, where much of our country's food is shipped from. Chefs will explore various aspects of food systems such as the activities, infrastructure, and environments involved in food production and processing for market retail. Additionally, students will learn about the distribution to local grocery stores and the importance of appropriate waste disposal, as well as how to read labels when trying to make good choices. Our classes will also cover efforts and organizations aimed at avoiding unnecessary food waste, including initiatives focused within our local Menlo Park / RWC / Palo Alto communities.
Nourish & Flourish Offers: A nutritional lunch & learn program, for experienced or new Jr. Chef’s alike. A week at camp to embrace healthy foods with a ‘supperclub jr.’ vibe. A fun day at the farm with tractor rides and squirmy bugs, and programs to inspire and engage students of all ages the importance of sustainable food systems and healthy foods for healthy body, mind, and wellbeing.
Summer programs at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center
located inside of Burgess Park, Menlo Park:
Below are dates for the Nourish & Flourish Summer Program 2025 at Burgess Park. Campers will start everyday with stretches and a short meditation to create focus. Ages vary per camp.
Summer programs can be viewed under the 'Special Interest Camps' for the city of Menlo Park
Click here for camp age 6-11 on the dates of 6/16/2025-6/20/2025
Click here for camp age 10-14+ on the dates of 7/7/2025-7/11/2025
Click here for camp age age 6-11 on the dates of 7/14/2025-7/18/2025
The programs will both offer the following :
- Light gardening to take home to transfer to yard or pot
- Safety and training on kitchen processes and tools
- Introduction to new and global foods / recipes
- Park trash pick-up, light physical activities / games
- Two daily recipes to prep, cook, and share together as a group
One week offered in July for older chefs aged 10-14 that will also offer the same as the above, however this class will be more involved in different healthy cooking techniques such as air frying, and also more complex recipes in addition to menu development and understanding nutritional labels and portion sizes.
All summer programs will include organic ingredients whenever possible, with a focus on growing / harvesting our own food whenever possible.
Most recipes during the programs will be primarily vegetarian to promote healthy foods, but we will also cover handling raw meat and food safety procedures at least one time.
Farm & Field Day Camp:
These events are used to educate students about where their food comes from, the challenges of growing organic produce, and the importance of supporting local agriculture.
Focus on Sustainability:
These events usually highlight the company's commitment to organic farming, responsible land management, and environmentally conscious practices.Educational Aspect:
Visitors can learn about different types of vegetables, how they are grown, the harvest process, and the importance of supporting local farmers.Direct Interaction with Farmers:
Field days often include opportunities to meet and interact with the farmers who grow the produce distributed by local markets.Community Engagement:
These events are a way for students to connect with their customers, build relationships with the community, and promote awareness about the food system.
Inquiries for private events, catering, 1:1 trainings & more can be sent to : NourishFlourish650@gmail.com
*All ingredients are sourced locally and organic whenever possible
Check back regularly for newly added classes!
Cooking and Kitchen Basics
Beginner chefs are welcomed to explore the kitchen and understand simple processes and tool techniques. Each class all chefs will prep and cook a simple, balanced healthy meal, with a copy of the recipe to bring home and share with family. Students will leave class with a basic knowledge of chopping veggies, prepping food to cook, what nutritional value the meal created includes, and where and how to choose healthy food options from local sources.
An Intro to Food Systems
Most people are unaware of the processes in motion when we go to the grocery store to buy our favorite fruits and vegetables. All students at Nourish & Flourish will have the experience of discussing the various food systems just here within the Bay Are that bring us all the varieties of food we see at the store, and how our communities can help get involved in creating sustainability programs that offer healthy food to everyone. Beginner and advanced classes will have access to a kitchen and neighborhood urban garden for sourcing as many ingredients as possible.
Sample Recipes for Advanced Chefs
For Advanced chefs who have already surpassed kitchen basics, we offer advanced recipes and outings that educate youth about how to make healthy choices at the store, and how to create healthy balanced meals at home. Once we return from the store, students will assemble something from the following recipes to prepare as a team:
Loobia Polo with ground chicken (Persian veg and meat rice main) (vegetarian version available)
Kuku Sabzi: A spinach and herb based omlette
Sholeh Zard: Saffron base rice pudding with cinnamon
Fresh pressed Spinach and Pineapple juice