Aromas of a traditional Christmas feast filled the Benchmark kitchen in early December, as a team of volunteers from the School of Culinary Arts prepared almost 200 meals for donation.
On December 5, culinary students joined chef professor Olaf Mertens in the Benchmark kitchen to prepare a traditional Christmas dinner for donation as part of NC’s Feed the Community initiative.
Roast turkey and a vegetarian option, as well as mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, gravies (turkey and plant-based/vegan) cranberry sauce were on the menu that day – prepared and packaged by volunteers for donation to Bethesda Child and Youth Services. The meal will be served at Bethesda’s Caregiver’s Appreciation Dinner on December 20 at Amici’s conference centre, in partnership with Hector De Divitiis. Bethesda will provide childcare to parents and caregivers of children and youth who have a diagnosis of autism or an intellectual disability so they may attend the dinner.
Led by Chef Professor Olaf Mertens, student and staff volunteers have been cooking weekly for Feed the Community throughout Fall term. Approximately 200 meals per week have been prepared, packaged and donated. This term alone, 4,800 meal portions have been donated to recipients including Gillian’s Place, the Boys and Girls Club, Port Cares, The Raft, The Hope Centre, , Birchway (formerly Women’s Place of South Niagara) and more. Meals have also been donated to NC students.
Chef Professor Olaf Mertens was instrumental to the launch of Feed the Community.
“We’re giving all the time,” noted Chef Professor Olaf Mertens, who has been leading the initiative on a weekly basis throughout Fall term – and since he helped launch Feed the Community in 2021.
Baking and Pastry Arts students have also been participating in the initiative with a regular crew of students volunteering to bake desserts weekly for donation throughout the term.
Students gain valuable experience through their involvement, along with an opportunity to help those in need.
“For first-year students, getting involved gives them more exposure into the kitchen, more experience with me and networking. They make new friends,” said Mertens.
“The second-year students are able to apply their experience, they’re a little more seasoned, and get to apply it to larger volumes.”
Niagara College’s School of Culinary Arts have been making a difference through Feed the Community, an initiative that helps those in need while boosting sustainability on campus, ensuring that no food goes to waste.
Feed the Community addresses food insecurity and supports health and wellness in the community. Fresh, healthy meals are prepared, packaged and transported to area shelters and food banks, as well as the Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton on a rotating basis. Some meals have also been provided to students living in on-campus residences.
Led by Chef Professor Olaf Mertens, who has been instrumental to organizing the initiative and to its ongoing delivery – the initiative relies on the dedication of a team of volunteers comprised of Mertens as well as other chef professors, culinary students and staff. The volunteers use top-quality products left from the kitchen labs and connect with shelters to transport meals to those who need them. The initiative also serves to help reduce waste.
“It’s the best part of the week, cooking with the students for Feed the Community,” said Mertens. “Working with the students here, they’re not cooking for a grade. We cook to feed people.
“I don’t even think about it as ‘giving back.’ We just do.”
Mertens noted that for many international students, helping the community is part of their DNA.
“It comes naturally to the international students who used to cook in the temple back home. My volumes are nothing compared to what they’re used to.”
“Community service is very important for us as professional chefs,” said student Luis Cantoral.
“Giving to people in need fills our hearts with joy. I think it’s an important part of being a chef.”
Leomar Terbia will begin his second year of Culinary Management in January. He has been involved with Feed the Community throughout the term.
“I just like to help. I believe in paying it forward,” he said.
The initiative also draws culinary graduates, such as Krista-Lee Boyd who frequently returns to volunteer with Feed the Community. On December 5, she joined current students in the Benchmark kitchen, applying her expertise with plant-based meals to prepare a vegan protein for the Christmas dinner.
“I like to stay involved at the College and I have been coming back to help out,” she said.
Feed the Community brings culinary grad Krista_lee Boyd back to the Benchmark kitchen.
While the Christmas dinner donation wrapped up the Feed the Community initiative for fall term, it will return to NC in 2024; culinary volunteers will resume their efforts in the Benchmark kitchen on Tuesday mornings.
Students enjoy volunteering with Fed the community.
Recipient testimonials
“On behalf of Pelham Cares and the clients we serve, we are so grateful to the culinary students at Niagara College for this wonderful program! So many families are struggling with food insecurity right now. Just our Christmas hamper clients alone are up 168% since 2021. Having the option of healthy, ready-made frozen meals has been a wonderful opportunity for our families: they are easy to prepare quickly, are nutritious, and when so many can’t afford to eat out at restaurants, create a special dining experience. We are so grateful to the students and staff and look forward to continuing this partnership in the future.”
- Amelia Pipher Cayne, Office Coordinator, Pelham Cares
“The meals were excellent! Restaurant style! Thank you SO much! Keep them coming!”
Pelham Cares client
“Thank you so much for the food – it was really great and my family and I appreciate it. Thanks again. God Bless you!”
Pelham Cares client
“We are so grateful for the support we receive from Niagara College’s Feed the Community Program. This program provides wonderful, prepared meals to the residents of Birchway Niagara on a weekly basis. Having these meals on hand means that single women and moms have one less thing to think about when they are adjusting to shelter living, are working on their transition plan, are preparing to move out of the shelter or simply have a lot on the go. These delicious, high-quality meals offset our food costs while introducing residents to a selection of foods they may not have experienced before. Thank you, Feed the Community!”
Sherry P, Birchway Niagara
