<\/p>\n
Dolores third-graders got into the restaurant business this week, fixing and serving freshly prepared meals from the school garden to hungry crowds.<\/p>\n
The Bear Caf\u00e9 sprang to life at the Dolores River Campground lodge, with students bustling to chop, cook, serve, clean and ring up tickets for breakfast and lunch.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have been learning the economics of the business for weeks, and today get to experience the hard work, skills, and team effort it takes to run a caf\u00e9,\u201d said teacher Meg Neeley.<\/p>\n
The exercise is in cooperation with the Montezuma School to Farm Project, which manages student-run gardens for instruction and school meals.<\/p>\n
Proceeds from the Bear Caf\u00e9 go back to the garden program. After serving up lunch Monday and breakfast Tuesday, the students had raised more than $1,000, said Zo\u00eb Nelsen, director of the School to Farm Project.<\/p>\n
Students prepared the menu based on this year\u2019s harvest. For Tuesday\u2019s breakfast, an egg, leek and broccoli casserole was the main dish. Baked apples, yogurt, and dried apples were served on the side.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey learned to utilize what they have,\u201d Nelsen said. \u201cWorking at the garden, they have a better appreciation of where food comes from and how to prepare it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Studies show that when kids are exposed to healthy eating options, they are more likely to choose those items in the cafeteria, and later in life.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do a lot of taste tests with kids in the garden. They find out what they like, and that familiarity leads to better nutrition,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Student Novay Siglin said she appreciated the work it takes to run a restaurant.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe learned how to help each other and work as a team,\u201d she said. \u201cThe best part is we made the food ourselves, and it was fresh from our garden instead of from the store.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe raised money for the garden so we can grow more food and continue the restaurant,\u201d added Mikayla Stepp, age 8.<\/p>\n
The students worked two-hour shifts, and kept up the pace, Neeley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were surprised to learn they had to work all the way through without a break,\u201d she said. \u201cA lesson for the real world!\u201d<\/p>\n