When Students Take the Lead: A Recipe for Engagement at District 112

OrganicLife brought creativity, collaboration and hands-on learning to the cafeteria with a Pizza Challenge at North Shore School District 112 in Highland Park. Students from Edgewood and Northwood Middle Schools came together for an engaging experience that highlighted how OrganicLife turns school meals into opportunities for connection and learning.

The day kicked off with a student focus group, giving students a voice to share feedback on menu items and what they enjoy most about school meals. From there, students moved into the kitchen for food safety training and hands-on instruction from OrganicLife chefs, learning how to make pizza dough and sauce from scratch and gaining a behind-the-scenes look at how fresh, high-quality meals are prepared.

Students then split into teams and put their creativity to work, crafting unique pizzas using a wide variety of toppings. Teachers served as judges and selected a winning pizza which was comprised of a cheese-stuffed crust topped with sauce, pepperoni, bacon and chicken. Best of all, the winning recipe earned a spot on the school menu, giving students the pride of seeing their creation come to life.

The Pizza Challenge was a big hit, generating excitement, smiles and enthusiastic feedback. Students are already asking when the next challenge will take place — proof that when students are invited into the process, school food becomes more than a meal, it becomes an experience.