Santa Fe, New Mexico is known for its rich culinary tradition,
but beyond the hotels, art galleries, and restaurants there are
communities struggling to find fresh produce and a healthy way
of eating. Cookbook author and restauranteur Lynn Walters
founded the non-profit Cooking With Kids: Hands-On Food and
Nutrition Education in partnership with the Santa Fe Public
Schools in 1995. What started as a small pilot program now
serves over 4,450 Pre-K through 6th grade kids at 12 low-income
schools. Through the program, which takes place within the usual
school day, students learn how different fruits and vegetables
are grown. Local chef volunteers (like Rocky Durham, Fernando
Olea, Martin Rios, and Johnny Vollertson) teach the students how
to cook using fresh, affordable foods and recipes from a wide
range of cultures. Students not only learn about nutrition and
cooking, but also supplement their instruction in math, social
studies, and science; the curriculum is tied to New Mexico's
state standards. Walters was