In this issue of our BCAITC Teacher Champion series, we profile BC teacher Andrea Salzbrenner. Discover her passion for educating students about BC agriculture, food, and the environment.

Q: What school do you teach? A: I teach at David Thompson Secondary School in Invermere, BC.

Q: What grade(s) do you teach? A: I teach Grades 8/9 Food Studies and Grades 10/11/12 Culinary Arts.

Q: How and when did you first learn about BCAITC? A: I first learned about BCAITC when I began teaching at David Thompson Secondary in 2013, and my classrooms have been participating in the BCAITC programs ever since, bringing local BC foods into my classroom.

Q: How long have you been teaching students about BC agriculture and food? A: I have been teaching students about BC agriculture and food for 13 years and loving every minute!

Q: What are the most important things that you want your students to learn about BC agriculture and food? A: The most important thing I want my students to learn is that if they are in BC and want food to taste good, then buy local BC product! Working with teenagers and future chefs, we talk at length about how our tastes drive our choices and above all, if it doesn't taste good, they won't eat it. And in order to accomplish that, then good quality food ripening here in BC and not in a box from elsewhere is the way to go!

Q: BCAITC has over 500 free downloadable resources including lesson plans, activities, videos, recipes, and more! What is your favourite BCAITC resource and why? A: We love the Farm & Food Maps resources! Farm Explorer BC is such a fantastic guide to touring local farms, and Grow BC is full of fascinating insights on BC commodities, oysters being a particular favourite. Being in the East Kootenays, we feel so lucky to experience products like BC oysters firsthand. It’s truly special. When they arrive, the excitement from our Culinary students and even others across the school is palpable. Every delivery turns into a hands-on, immersive learning experience, connecting our students to local farmers and the incredible flavours of BC.

Q: What is your favourite BCAITC program and why?  A: My favourite BCAITC program has to be Take a Bite of BC! We feel incredibly fortunate to have this program supporting our Culinary Arts classes, especially in a smaller program like ours in Invermere. The quality of the local products and the generosity of BC farmers allow us to share amazing food with our students, nourish them, and most importantly, teach the vital connection between the food on their plates and the farmers who grow it. It’s hands-on learning that truly brings BC agriculture to life in our classroom.

Q: Describe an agriculture or food-based project/program you have implemented in your classroom/school recently. A: One of our favourite projects for senior students is challenging them to design and implement a weekly cafeteria menu. We make it even more exciting by focusing on local BC products whenever possible. This approach not only supports our local farmers but also ensures the freshest, highest-quality ingredients for our students. Through this project, students learn to connect with farmers, place orders, cost and design menus, and make thoughtful choices about what they serve all while creating delicious, BC-inspired meals. It’s a hands-on experience that brings agriculture and food education to life in a meaningful way.

Q: Do you have any advice for other educators on how to integrate agriculture and food education into their curriculum?  A: My advice is simple: Let the food be your guide! Start with what you want to eat and back track to build menus around ingredients you can source locally. Don't try to re-write the book, use the resources that are available to you and let the food shine, while helping students discover the connection between what they eat and where it comes from!

About the Teacher Champion Series: This monthly BCAITC series features BC teachers and school staff who are passionate about providing agriculture and food education to K-12 students. For more information, contact BCAITC Communications Coordinator, communications@aitc.ca.