Feeding the Future recap, kohlrabi salad and more!
If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.
logo.gif

Watermelon Wednesday

February 2026 Issue #17

Copy%20of%20Untitled%20(Infographic).png

Feeding the Future!

Our 8th Annual Feeding the Future event was a success! Thank you to everyone who joined us for our sold out event and celebrated the 22 student teams who created delicious trays that follow federal meal guidelines. Congratulations to all of the elementary, middle and high school students who provided the thoughtful, creative, dishes. Our trays and hearts were full!

This year, the judges awarded these winners:

Elementary: Fantastic Corn & Edamame Veggie Medley

"A  mix of bright yellow corn and green edamame beans. The corn is sweet and juicy, and the edamame is soft but a little firm when you bite it. Together they taste fresh and slightly sweet. It’s colorful, healthy, and fun to eat, like a happy bowl of veggies."

Prepared by David Crockett Elementary School’s Isreal, Sarahi, George and Arely 

Support for team David Crockett includes school mentor Jessica Garcia, Dianna Echeverria and BWP Chef Matt Pratta

Middle: Burrito Sabanero

"Burrito Sabanero is a warm whole-wheat breakfast burrito filled with shredded chicken simmered in a roasted tomatillo-serrano cilantro sauce. Served with crisp radishes on the side."

Prepared by Barcelona Elementary School’s Eduardo, Giselle and Nicol 

Support for team Barcelona includes school mentor Alexis Tomala and BWP Chef Trevor Routman

High school:

3rd- Arroz con Pollo Burrito Bowl, Pico de Gallo & Fresas con crema

"Freshly cooked brown rice topped with diced cooked chicken, pinto beans, and locally grown romaine lettuce, all thrown in a bowl. (Pico) Freshly diced tomatoes, onion, jalapeno pepper, and topped with lime juice, garlic powder, taco seasoning, salt and pepper! (Berries) Served with Strawberries and whipped yogurt to make cream to enhance the taste of strawberries!"

Prepared by Casteel High School’s Carter and Andrew

Support for team Casteel includes school mentor Chad Faria and BWP Chef Tamara Stanger

2nd- Chipotle Kick Pulled Pork Tostada, Fiesta Jalapeno Broccoli & Fire-Kissed Grilled Tajin Pineapple

"A crispy tortilla topped with tangy BBQ pulled pork and a spicy kick from adobo peppers, served over hearty brown rice and black beans. This is paired with a hot and spicy, crunchy broccoli served with a creamy, savory cottage cheese dip on the side. To finish, sweet, juicy pineapple rings lightly dusted with Tajín for a perfect blend of sweetness, tang, and mild spice."

Prepared by Central High School’s Victor and Tycen 

Support for team Central High includes school mentor Kate Gcoh and BWP Chefs Matt Pratta, Tracy Dempsey

1st- Mahn Mi Torta, Jicama Fries & Pineapple-Banana Compote

"Tender, juicy pulled pork is layered on a fresh sub roll and dressed with creamy, spicy sriracha mayo. Crisp romaine, bright cilantro, and zesty jalapeños add crunch and heat, creating a bold, flavorful sandwich that’s savory, spicy, and irresistibly fresh in every bite.(Jicama fries) Baked to tender, lightly crisped perfection, these fries balance natural sweetness with savory heat, delivering a refreshing, crunchy, and flavorful twist on a classic side.(Compote) Juicy pineapple tidbits and ripe banana slices are paired with local Arizona honey and dried thyme to highlight natural tropical sweetness."

Prepared by Perry High School’s Maddie

Support for team Queen Creek includes school mentor Angela Stutz and BWP Chef Tamara Stanger

This year we also re-introduced the opportunity for attendees to vote for their favorite dish of the day! This year's fan favorites were:

Elementary: Chipotle Adobo Mashed Potatoes

"Chipotle adobe mashed potatoes are creamy and soft, like regular mashed potatoes, but with a spicy twist. They taste smoky and a little spicy because of the chipotle peppers. The spices make them kind of reddish and give them a bold flavor. They’re warm, smooth, and a little spicy, so they make your mouth tingle but in a good way."

Prepared by Garfield Elementary School’s Sophia, Dayeo  and Miútil 

Support for team Garfield includes school mentor Maya Dailey and BWP Chef(s) Doug Robson and Elizabeth Meinz

Middle School: Warrior Crepe!

"Savory oatmeal breakfast crepe filled with scrambled eggs, sautéed potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, turkey bacon, and melted low-fat cheddar, served warm with fresh apples on the side."

Prepared by Pat Tillman Middle School’s Josue, Christian, Stephanie and Anthony 

Support from school mentors Jessica Garcia, Dianna Echeverria and BWP Chef Matt Pratta

High School: Chipotle Kick Pulled Pork Tostada from the Central students who won second place!

Untitled%20design%20(17).png
 
Untitled%20design%20(26).png

January Lesson

Students participating in our January Chef in the Garden lesson enjoyed Chef Trevor's Kohlrabi & Green Apple Salad recipe, a fresh and balanced dish  inspired by French cuisine using locally grown kohlrabi from La Campagna Homestead, Greenhouse Gardens and McClendon's Select! Students practiced grating to enhance the flavor and texture of the dish requiring their precision, strength and teamwork to prepare this delicious recipe.

Click the button below to watch Chef Trevor walk us through his recipe,  Farmer Lauren show us how to plant kohlrabi and see  more information about January's featured chef and farm!

 

 Featured Chef

Trevor Routman

January%20Chef%20Feature%20-%20Trevor%20(2).png

 

Featured Farm

La Campagna Homestead

B68093E6-4249-45B8-9535-E7A0FEC27E59.JPG

Chef Trevor is currently the Executive Chef and Director of Culinary Operations as Los Milics Vineyards. Before Los Milics, Chef Trevor worked with James Beard award-winning chefs and restaurants including Lula’s Café in Logan Square, Chicago. In Arizona, he cooked at Pa’La in Phoenix and was head chef at Source in Gilbert.

He attended Kendall College Culinary Arts Program and moved to Arizona to finish his studies at the Arizona Culinary Institute. Trevor currently develops menus for Los Milics tasting rooms in Elgin and Scottsdale, and two Tucson tasting rooms slated to open in 2025 and 2026, as well as dinner menus for The Biscuit.

Chef Trevor defines his style as seasonal, local, and driven by the quality of the ingredients.

Adapted from Los Milics Vineyards About Our Team.

La Campagna Homestead was established in 2018 in Queen Creek by Lauren and Frank Infurna. The farm name, meaning “the countryside” in Italian, is an ode to Frank’s Sicilian heritage. It references the land outside of town where Sicilians traditionally escape to in the summer to garden, tend to the orchards, and, most importantly, spend time with friends and family.

Lauren and Frank and their two sons share the bounty of their little Arizona campagna with their local community by collaborating with Cameron and Jeannine McChesney, owners of a nearby farm, Greenhouse Gardens. Together they are able to provide the highest quality fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, and eggs to local restaurants and at their weekly Farmers’ Market at Greenhouse Gardens.

Adapted from Anita’s Area Farms Arizona La Campagna Homestead

Untitled%20design%20(24).png
 
Untitled%20design%20(25).png

 

 

Quote Corner

Check out what our students had to say about Chef Trevor's recipe!

 

"I've never eaten so much green stuff in my life. I don't like it... I love it!" 

- 4th grader, Larry C. Kennedy School

"I can taste every flavor in this!"

3rd grader, Larry C. Kennedy School

 

"The children LOVED this recipe and there were no leftovers. The children kept saying it tasted so sour and that's why they liked it - vinegar was a new taste for them. It was a total hit!"

- Lower Elementary Site Rep, Bella Montessori

IMG_0899%20-%20Rachel%20Taylor(1).jpeg

Volunteer with us!

We have all kinds of opportunities coming up this month! Consider joining us on Monday, February 9th for this month's kit delivery or sign up for one of several chef demos taking place throughout February. Our work depends on our volunteers, and we appreciate all of you! 

Get started today

Ready to join us? New volunteers can click the button below to sign up for a Volgistics account to see all of the upcoming shifts on our calendar. 

 

Already have an account? Existing volunteers can click the button below to log in and sign up!

 

Newsletter%20Closing%20(1).png
This email was sent to isaac.kiehl@gmail.com. Click here to unsubscribe.