Queen City Food Quest

Welcome to the Queen City Food Quest! We developed this program to bring the love of local food to fourth grade students of Greater Cincinnati. Our region’s local food system is thriving thanks to the work of policy makers, producers, processors and consumers. We want to share these successes with the next generation as we foster a life-long love of local food.

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How It Works

Over the course of three dynamic sessions, students learn about whole vs. processed foods, calculate the miles traveled by school lunch ingredients, taste local foods, grow ingredients and create handmade pizza using locally sourced ingredients.

  • Lesson 1: Students break down a school lunch into its ingredients, calculate the food miles it takes for the food to reach their tray, learn about whole vs. processed foods, explore the possibility of sourcing some of that food locally and discuss the change in environmental impact that choice would have.

  • Lesson 2: Students learn about local foods and their benefits by participating in a food-tasting activity, explore various spice blends, identify sensory characteristics and use this experience to choose a pizza sauce for the final session. 

  • Lesson 3: This session ties together themes of local foods, sustainability and collaboration. Students bring their recipes to life using local ingredients, practice safe cooking techniques and reflect on how their meal choices impact their community and the environment. Optionally, the class can visit the CGC for this session and explore our aeroponic, rainwater harvesting and compost systems and see how we practice sustainable gardening.

Each of the three lessons aligns with local and national standards for fourth grade students. The multi-lesson approach builds strong relationships and provides tailored support to the amazing teachers who are so dedicated to educating our community.

The Details

  • Location: The CGC will come to your school for sessions 1 and 2. Session 3 can occur at your school or at the CGC. Sessions can be held outside if weather permits and your school has a space.

  • Length: Each of the three sessions is 45 minutes. If coming to CGC for third session, option to extend session by an hour to include learning about CGC’s sustainable infrastructure, growing methods and compost systems.

  • Number of Students: One class of up to 30 students per session

  • Dates: During school hours on Wednesdays (all day) and Thursdays (morning only). Other dates may be available if needed.

    The CGC cannot provide transportation, but if your school is part of Hamilton County’s Let’s Stop the Waste program, transportation reimbursement through them can be provided.

Ready to take the next step?

Fill out our registration form and we’ll be in touch to schedule your classroom’s Queen City Food Quest.

Questions? Contact our Youth Education Coordinator, Ellie Falk, at youtheducation@civicgardencenter.org.