Michelle Obama is on a mission to raise a generation of healthier kids.

She would agree that Luscher Farm Family Dinners offered through the Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department are one important step towards that goal. Here’s why:

1. The food is FRESH. Chef teacher Laura Content develops the menus based on what can be harvested from the Luscher Farm Children’s Garden that season from kale and rhubarb to blackberries and edible flowers!
2. The food is YUMMY. This is not glorified kid food but meals even moms and dads will like. Past menus have included a risotto with fresh snap peas and blackberry gelato to a frittata with spring greens and strawberry rhubarb pie.
3. The food is prepared by KIDS and PARENTS. Each class is limited to five families with one adult and one child (at least six years of age) per family. This makes for an intimate experience and lots of hands-on opportunity. Content sets up a separate station for each parent and child where they can wash, chop and cook.
4. The food is EATEN by the chefs as well as their families. The rest of the chef’s family can join the class for dinner at 4:00 p.m. In winter, dinner is served in the parlor. In summertime, families gather around picnic tables under a shady maple tree.
5. The process ENTICES kids to try new things. “When they see the food coming from the garden into the kitchen, they want to try it,” explains Content. “They trust that it is going to taste good and they’re willing to give it at least one bite because they participated in it.” She recalls a seven year old who had refused to eat red bell peppers until they found their way into the sandwiches his class was preparing as part of a Red, White and Blue picnic theme. “His mom was so excited,” she adds, “because he had never done that at home.”

This season’s first Family Dinner is scheduled for this Saturday, June 8 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (dinner is served at 4:00 p.m.) at Luscher Farm , 125 Rosemont Rd. The theme is “Backcountry Cooking.” Future classes include “Berry Delicious Menu” on July 13 and “Garden Pizza and Peach Ice Cream,” on August 10. The fee is $46 for residents/$53 for non-residents. Register through the Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department.

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