mission
Our mission is to provide healthy food for bodies and minds through our tasty, nutrient-rich lunches, and fact filled wellness initiatives, that address the alarming health statistics of children today. We offer school-wide lunch programs for schools who want to offer hot lunch to their entire student body, and wellness education programs in and outside of the classroom. Even if you do not have an on-site kitchen or cafeteria, we can tailor make a program that works for you.
history
Butter Beans is the brainchild of local mothers who understand the challenge busy parents face in providing their children homemade, delicious, healthy meals to send to school everyday.
Childhood is a time of rapid growth and development; therefore, the quality of the food they eat must be fresh and nutrient dense. What young children eat determines the strength of their immune system for years to come.
We use the most local, organic, seasonal food possible, and find ways to add nutrition to every bite. Our meals are full of whole grains, legumes, veggies, healthy fats, and naturally raised meat, and poultry. Additionally, our meals are balanced with raw, cooked, crunchy, and smooth food, full of color to inspire.
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“Lunch is like a buffet. Every weekday I have a buffet for lunch just like when we were on vacation in Puerto Rico!”
- a student at Poly Prep Country Day School
“I love cooking class! I love grating and chopping and mixing. I love tasting all the ingredients and learning where they come from and making things for my family at home.”
- Sam, a cooking class student
“The Butter Beans program at our school has been a huge benefit for me… I would say it kept me from getting sick…I get to socialize a bit with my students and colleagues all while eating tons of fresh and delicious vegetables prepared with my well-being in mind. It’s a gift really… a demonstration of how the school wants us to have healthy, contented lives.”
- a teacher at Poly Prep Country Day School
“On Tuesday she called from nurse jean’s office. I asked her how she was feeling and she said not great. I asked her if she wanted me to pick her up and she said yes. I said, okay, i’m on my way- and she said, “actually, could you please come at 1.30 because I like the lunch menu.”
- a Butter Beans parent
“Sophia absolutely loved cooking class! During and after the class, she definitely was more open to trying new, healthy foods like quinoa, sprouts and sushi.“
- a Butter Beans parent
“Thank you for your reply and assurance that Butter Beans is both caring and attentive to improving our children’s school lunch experience and satisfaction. Both Laura and Otto LOVE the Butter Beans “mashed potatoes with skins and all,” and have asked me to make the same at home! Knowing that the nutrients are held in the skin, I will begin mashing our potatoes the Butter Beans way.”
- a Butter Beans parent
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Teaching children to cook, really is a gift that lasts a lifetime. Our after school cooking classes are designed to inspire the joy of cooking! Click here to read teacher reflections from this recipe in the classroom. This recipe is pretty quick and super satisfying. Try it at home!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup brown rice
- 3 ¼ cups water
- 1/3 cups raisins
- 4 eggs
- 2 ½ cup milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Directions:
- Cook rice ahead of time. With a bit of extra water than usual, the rice should turn out slightly sweeter than normal.
- Put raisins in a bowl with warm water, set aside to plump up for a few minutes.
- Mix 4 eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon together
- Oil a medium pan and place on medium-low heat on burner
- Add egg mixture into warmed pan and cover. Keep on medium-low heat for about 25 minutes.
- Test ready-ness of pudding by sticking a knife in the center. If it comes out clean, it’s ready!
“We are great fans of both the class and the lunch menu. It is certainly a fabulously innovative and healthy way for our children to eat, and learn more about food. Titan is very much enjoying the classes. In fact Titan’s mum – Elissa, is also learning – now knowing how to blanch tomatoes, and poach pears.”
- father of a Butter Beans cooking class student
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