The Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s (OFA) Six by Sixteen food literacy initiative has cooked up something special to be launched during The Royal Agricultural Virtual Experience.
With the help of Growing Chefs Ontario, Six by Sixteen is proud to announce the launch of a new virtual challenge. Our dietitian developed recipe guide has officially been converted to a digital format with videoed cooking tutorials for youth and families to watch from the safety and convenience of their own home.
This exciting, home cooking challenge features eight dietitian developed recipe videos, an introduction to knife safety and food handling. Youth can follow along as a certified chef demonstrates how to source and prepare eight recipes using locally grown and produced food products.
“We want to ensure we’re doing our part to raise the profile of buying fresh, safe and affordable local food that supports our farm families and the local economy,” said Keith Currie, OFA President. “With youth spending more time at home and limited access to recreational activities, now is a great opportunity to promote the importance of food literacy and getting kids in the kitchen.”
Keeping true to the Six by Sixteen slogan, youth only need to prepare six recipes to complete the challenge. Everyone who completes this task will receive an official Six by Sixteen certificate honouring their achievement.
Families and youth will have the chance to engage with OFA and Six by Sixteen to learn more about the food literacy challenge during The Royal Agricultural Virtual Experience. The traditional Royal Agricultural Winter Fair has pivoted its plans this year to interact with the agricultural community and consumers through a virtual lens.
This year’s platform focuses on agricultural education for youth and consumers. OFA is proud to be a sponsor of the event’s Agriculture Zone alongside Ontario’s commodity organizations, 4-H, AgScape, Farm & Food Care Ontario and John Deere.
OFA’s virtual booth is full of youth-friendly activities that promote food literacy knowledge and awareness, and our dynamic agri-food sector. Activities include the interactive quiz game Kahoot, crosswords, word searches, fun facts and cooking demonstrations.
OFA and Six by Sixteen encourage all families to get their youth involved in the kitchen by taking our recipe challenge. It’s a fun and family-oriented way to teach the next generation lifelong skills and promote Ontario’s agri-food sector in the process.
Youth can submit their six recipes by sending photos of completed meals to: sixbysixteen@ofa.on.ca, or sharing their cooking adventures and dishes to social media by tagging @SixbySixteen with #virtualchallenge6x16. You can access these videos directly from our virtual booth or visit youtube.com/ontariofarms.
