--- title: Buy Local, Eat Fresh, Give Thanks description: Involve the whole family as you prepare meals this holiday season while making the most of foods from your local farms. image: https://blog.westtown.edu/hubfs/Blog%20farm%202.jpg --- [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/file-2454828850-png/Westtown-Feb2015/logo_graphic.png?width=68&height=68&name=logo_graphic.png)](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=1) [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/file-2451508821-png/Westtown-Feb2015/logo_text.png) Spirited Quaker education since 1799](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=1) # A Well-Lit Path: A Blog from Westtown School ## [Buy Local, Eat Fresh, Give Thanks](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/buy-local-give-thanks) Posted by [Beth Pellegrino](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/author/beth-pellegrino) on November 18, 2016 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)  ![Blog farm 2.jpg](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20farm%202.jpg?width=320&name=Blog%20farm%202.jpg)As the air grows crisp and we turn our minds to Thanksgiving, I am constantly reminded of how fortunate we are to live in a part of the world with rich bounty of local foods and produce. I also feel lucky to work in an environment where there is a long history of [sustainable](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=529), local eating. Our Archives tells the story of days when Westtown School had its own apple orchard, dairy cows, and working farm. In recent years, we have re-ignited the excitement around [farming](http://www.westchesterlifemagazine.com/2016/05/23/111795/from-farm-to-table-at-westtown-school#.V3a-S_lGweU) on campus. Faculty members work side-by-side with students to grow organic vegetables on the Westtown farm. This farm experience is both educational and exploratory for students and produces over 5000 pounds of vegetables each year. It is rewarding, not to mention fiscally responsible, to use vegetables from our organic farm to feed the school community.   People often ask me,  ”How can I bring local fare to my family's table and get my kids excited to eat it?” I offer these suggestions: - Find your farmers! Focus on shopping local and supporting small business owners. There are many resources on the Internet such as “[Buy Fresh Buy Local”](https://www.pasafarming.org/about/pennsylvania-buy-fresh-buy-local/pennsylvania-buy-fresh-buy-local-r-splash-page)  or the  [Chester County Agricultural Development Council](http://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/1350) - Involve your family. Children always have more fun and are more engaged when included in shopping and meal planning. They get excited to create “real food” made with simple ingredients. I often marvel at the students who work in our Dining Room. They have a  fascination with food and can be so creative when exposed to new foods. Involve the WHOLE family, even the youngest children can help...think peeling carrots, tearing lettuce or kneading bread. - Introduce small changes and plan on trying a new introduction several times. Easy-to-prepare items like crunchy kale chips, wontons, or salad are a great hands-on starter item that kids can create and take pride in. - Have fun!  Play a game of “Iron Chef.”Find out what is seasonal and local, and brainstorm ideas on how to use it in your family meal. Discuss how buying local can lower our carbon footprint and benefit the Earth. - Share gratitude. If food is bountiful in our community, share it.  Make an extra casserole, buy a few extra staples and deliver them with your family to a [local food bank](https://chestercountyfoodbank.org/) or shelter. As I say to my family, most that is good happens in our kitchen and around our table. This holiday season, I invite you to roll up your sleeves, try something new from a local farm or business, and reflect on the many reasons you have to be thankful.    [![Learn More about Westtown](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/394143/bd8c9d9d-3eab-4734-974d-e2a403cc77e5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/394143/bd8c9d9d-3eab-4734-974d-e2a403cc77e5) Topics: [sustainability](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/sustainability) ![Beth Pellegrino](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Beth%20P.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=Beth%20P.jpg) #### Written by [Beth Pellegrino](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/author/beth-pellegrino) Beth Pellegrino is the Director of Food Services at Westtown School. Beth holds a bachelor's degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, and twenty-five years experience in management from restaurants to business dining services, catering to schools. Beth is dedicated to supporting local and natural agriculture and has worked with faculty and staff at Westtown to create a sustainable agrarian microcosm in which students play a big role. ”Westtown School's philosophies of sustainability and care for the Earth have paralleled my interests for creating a food program that is wholesome, local and natural. While teaching others to enjoy the creation of "real food," I am inspired by our students every day” ### Subscribe to Our Blog ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Inspiring the Best in Kids (46)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/inspiring-the-best-in-kids) - [Raising Resilient, Healthy Teens (29)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-healthy-teens) - [Help with learning (19)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/help-with-learning) - [Communication and Children (18)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/communication-and-children) - [Raising Resilient Lower and Middle Schoolers (7)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-lower-and-middle-schoolers) - [sustainability (4)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/sustainability) - [Building Self-Esteem in Teens (3)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/building-self-esteem-in-teens) - [How to get your teen to talk (3)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/how-to-get-your-teen-to-talk) - [How to Pick the Best Independent School in Philly (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/how-to-pick-the-best-independent-school-in-philly) - [How to manage the mood swings (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/how-to-manage-the-mood-swings) - [Student Life at Westtown (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/student-life-at-westtown) - [Westtown Picks (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/westtown-picks) - [Summer Camps (1)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/summer-camps) see all 975 Westtown Road West Chester, PA 19382 610.399.0123 [Contact Us](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=498#) - - - - [Apply Now](https://mbp.westtown.edu/SeniorApps/facelets/registration/loginCenter.xhtml?appId=AD) [Make A Gift](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=979) Westtown School, a Quaker Pre-K -12th grade co-ed, private, college preparatory day and boarding school, offers a challenging and diverse curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, service and social action. Since 1799, we have been committed to character education and innovation. We inspire and prepare our graduates to become stewards and leaders of a better world. [Apply Now](https://mbp.westtown.edu/SeniorApps/facelets/registration/loginCenter.xhtml?appId=AD) [Make A Gift](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=979) Westtown School, a Quaker Pre-K -12th grade co-ed, private, college preparatory day and boarding school, offers a challenging and diverse curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, service and social action. Since 1799, we have been committed to character education and innovation. We inspire and prepare our graduates to become stewards and leaders of a better world. 975 Westtown Road West Chester, PA 19382 610.399.0123 [Contact Us](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=498#) - - - - - [powered by finalsite](http://www.finalsite.com/)