The Swenson Arts and Technology School’s culinary arts students combined their horticultural interests and their culinary talents in a project that honored the Pennsylvania National Guard 28th Infantry Division Stryker Brigade. Students felt particularly strongly about serving the 28th because they are stationed just a half mile from Swenson. Under the guidance of teacher Patrick Perti and with the help of Earth Force, the culinary arts students grew herbs and paper white narcissus in the Swenson greenhouse and then sold the blooming flowers to earn the funds to put on a luncheon.
The students then planned and prepared an excellent lunch for some of the members of the 28th Infantry Division, including a roasted chicken breast, spinach, potato au gratin and finished with a creamy velouté sauce, on December 22. The soldiers enjoyed their lunch with several administrators as well as student cadets from Swenson’s ROTC. The culinary arts students had also made holiday cookies for the soldiers to take with them. It was clear that these students found reward in both caring for the plants and caring for the troops!