Warwick Neck was honored to have been selected by Aramark Food Services to host a special event honoring “National Mushroom Day!” All students were treated to a special presentation during an extended lunch on Wednesday, April 30th by one of Aramark's Chief Culinary Chefs, the RI Department of Education, "Farm Fresh Rhode Island", and the RI Mushroom Company!
"It was such a unique treat to have our friends from the RI Mushroom Company, Farm Fresh RI and the RI Department of Education team up with Aramark to give our kids a taste of local, fresh food they've probably never tried before today" said Frank Galligan, Principal of Warwick Neck. "I was impressed by the number of kids who not only sampled, but were eager to learn about the recipes being offered."
Special recipes and taste tests were offered to all students, with, as Galligan noted, a significant portion of the student population trying Mushroom Flatbread Pizza with arugula and alfredo sauce - and small sample cups of Roasted Shittake Mushrooms seasoned with olive oil and thyme.
The recipes and samples provided to students by the culinary chefs can be found here. Families of Warwick Neck and the surrounding community are encouraged to review the information offered, while supporting local farms that provide fresh mushrooms and other produce.
Elementary Director and former Warwick Neck Principal, Patti Cousineau, was on site to offer support and like 4th grader, Holly Hayes, was a big fan of the flatbread pizza. "It's tasty" said Hayes, as she took another bite.
All lunches were extended by 10 minutes to allow students to enjoy and experience the presentation and taste tests. The regular menu for Wednesday, April 30th was still provided to students who ordered lunch.
For more information about programs such as this, that are offered to many schools throughout the state, visit RI Farm and Sea to Schools here. Once again, for those interested, the recipes provided to students by the culinary chefs can be found here.
[Pictured above: 4th Grader, Holly, takes a sample of Flatbread Pizza being offered to her as part of the special lunch event taking place at Warwick Neck Elementary School.]
[Pictured below: School and district officials pose with members of Farm Fresh RI, Aramark, and the RI Mushroom Company; students see raw, fresh mushrooms up close.]
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