We are pleased to announce that our new office and new staff are now in place to help out with all of the BC Agriculture in the Classroom programs.
Laura McKenzie and Michelle Fripps have joined our team and are quickly taking over communications regarding the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program. 
Michelle joins us from the Food & Wine world. She has over 20 years experience organizing seminars, staff trainings and public events pertaining to the education of fresh food paired with superb wines.
“Years ago the trend was set in finer restaurants to use local fresh produce and to invert the dining pyramid. Instead of having a few token vegetables around a huge piece of meat, Chefs started to play with the bounty from our back yard. We saw creative alternatives, such as fresh salads topped with a portion of free-range poultry, playful soups such as blueberry lavender, plus a whole flash-grill phenomenon. The '100 mile diet' had not been coined at this time, but the mood of culinary leaders was to capture the best of the seasons and tweak them with a delicate hand so the enjoyment was from the produce, not the heavy sauces. This has stuck with me and I’m pleased to change my efforts from adult education to supporting youth - learning early to enjoy fresh local foods and healthy eating.”
Laura is a fitness enthusiast with a keen mind for organization. She has spent a decade running programs at the YMCA, including programs centred around the childhood obesity issue. Encouraging healthy eating practices and regular exercise in children is a passion that she brings to her workplace and home. Her quick and acute attention to detail and dedication for what she is doing is an asset to our team. After a few years working in the U.S., she has returned to her native Vancouver and is excited to be making a home for her husband and two children.
“As a parent of small children, I know it can be challenging to engage children in consuming fresh fruit and vegetables, especially given the amount of commercials and peer pressure that encourage consumption of processed foods. I want them to have healthy lives and be exposed to the wonders of fruit & vegetables. It is never too late to introduce a healthy lifestyle to children of all ages. Since children spend so much of their day at school, it is a perfect opportunity to expand on their experience of this food group. I’m proud to be part of such a worthwhile movement.”
