Growing Together: Open Forum

Hello! 

Has anyone ever created a school cookbook either for purchase or fundraising? I'd love to compile recipes from our students families and sell a low-cost version for students and faculty members to purchase. However, it could become expensive. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on creating the format and if they know of any large retail vendors that may donate or discount the resources to produce them? I want it to be accessible to families with a cheap price point and think they would benefit from a hard copy versus digital version. 

Thank you, friends!

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Alissa Haskins
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Hi Alissa!

Myself and a few teachers from the school district I used to work at oversaw a group of college students as they created a district-specific multicultural cookbook as part of a community-oriented project for a class they were in. The students used Canva and the final product was a really beautiful downloadable PDF. I'm not sure how easily it would be to create a print copy of the file they created on Canva, but if you're just looking to have an electronic resource this could be an interesting option.


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Christine Gall
KidsGardening
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-12-2021 11:11
From: Alissa Haskins
Subject: School Cookbook Inquiry

Hello! 

Has anyone ever created a school cookbook either for purchase or fundraising? I'd love to compile recipes from our students families and sell a low-cost version for students and faculty members to purchase. However, it could become expensive. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on creating the format and if they know of any large retail vendors that may donate or discount the resources to produce them? I want it to be accessible to families with a cheap price point and think they would benefit from a hard copy versus digital version. 

Thank you, friends!

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Alissa Haskins
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Something we started last year and then COVID came along.

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Marcia Berger
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-12-2021 11:11
From: Alissa Haskins
Subject: School Cookbook Inquiry

Hello! 

Has anyone ever created a school cookbook either for purchase or fundraising? I'd love to compile recipes from our students families and sell a low-cost version for students and faculty members to purchase. However, it could become expensive. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on creating the format and if they know of any large retail vendors that may donate or discount the resources to produce them? I want it to be accessible to families with a cheap price point and think they would benefit from a hard copy versus digital version. 

Thank you, friends!

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Alissa Haskins
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Hi! We recently launched this FoodCorps Recipe Book in case it's helpful for ideas! 

FOODCORPS RECIPE BOOK

The FoodCorps Recipe Book is a compilation of 55 recipes that can be used for school-wide taste tastes, or during hands-on learning in the classroom or garden. The resource includes an overview of the basics of cooking with kids, cooking safety, and an overview of learning models that inform FoodCorps' approach to hands-on learning. Recipes were developed to feature seasonal products available across the country during the school year (fall to spring), national growing and harvest timing for produce featured in each recipe, what would be available to purchase from local farmers and/or grown in school gardens, produce commonly featured in school food, and produce that is affordable and accessible for families and service members, if purchased.

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Erica Curry
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-12-2021 11:11
From: Alissa Haskins
Subject: School Cookbook Inquiry

Hello! 

Has anyone ever created a school cookbook either for purchase or fundraising? I'd love to compile recipes from our students families and sell a low-cost version for students and faculty members to purchase. However, it could become expensive. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on creating the format and if they know of any large retail vendors that may donate or discount the resources to produce them? I want it to be accessible to families with a cheap price point and think they would benefit from a hard copy versus digital version. 

Thank you, friends!

------------------------------
Alissa Haskins
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 4/13/2021 2:39:00 PM
From: Erica Curry
Subject: RE: School Cookbook Inquiry

Hi! We recently launched this FoodCorps Recipe Book in case it's helpful for ideas! 

FOODCORPS RECIPE BOOK

The FoodCorps Recipe Book is a compilation of 55 recipes that can be used for school-wide taste tastes, or during hands-on learning in the classroom or garden. The resource includes an overview of the basics of cooking with kids, cooking safety, and an overview of learning models that inform FoodCorps' approach to hands-on learning. Recipes were developed to feature seasonal products available across the country during the school year (fall to spring), national growing and harvest timing for produce featured in each recipe, what would be available to purchase from local farmers and/or grown in school gardens, produce commonly featured in school food, and produce that is affordable and accessible for families and service members, if purchased.

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Erica Curry
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-12-2021 11:11
From: Alissa Haskins
Subject: School Cookbook Inquiry

Hello! 

Has anyone ever created a school cookbook either for purchase or fundraising? I'd love to compile recipes from our students families and sell a low-cost version for students and faculty members to purchase. However, it could become expensive. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on creating the format and if they know of any large retail vendors that may donate or discount the resources to produce them? I want it to be accessible to families with a cheap price point and think they would benefit from a hard copy versus digital version. 

Thank you, friends!

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Alissa Haskins
------------------------------

We used Morris Publishing of our Cookbook. We broke even at about the 50th copy sold, so it makes a nice fundraiser if you can sell a large number of them.

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Kim Schubring
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-12-2021 11:11
From: Alissa Haskins
Subject: School Cookbook Inquiry

Hello! 

Has anyone ever created a school cookbook either for purchase or fundraising? I'd love to compile recipes from our students families and sell a low-cost version for students and faculty members to purchase. However, it could become expensive. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on creating the format and if they know of any large retail vendors that may donate or discount the resources to produce them? I want it to be accessible to families with a cheap price point and think they would benefit from a hard copy versus digital version. 

Thank you, friends!

------------------------------
Alissa Haskins
------------------------------

I teach a group of special needs students and they have a garden at school. We try to make something from the things grown in their gardens and have them try new things. We have asked students to bring in a favorite family recipe that includes something that we have grown (for example: we grew squash and the kids brought in a recipe for squash casserole of pickled squash). We also tested out the recipes and made in class for them to taste. We put all the recipes they brought in, plus the others that we made in class into a recipe book. We included pictures of them in the garden harvesting things, the students preparing the ingredients for the recipes and them cooking and eating the recipes. 
Our school has a digital technology class and they printed them in color for us. We just provided the paper. They also put a spiral binder on them. We sold them for $5 each. We had a lot of positive feedback on them.
Good luck.

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Karen Hamilton
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-12-2021 11:11
From: Alissa Haskins
Subject: School Cookbook Inquiry

Hello! 

Has anyone ever created a school cookbook either for purchase or fundraising? I'd love to compile recipes from our students families and sell a low-cost version for students and faculty members to purchase. However, it could become expensive. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on creating the format and if they know of any large retail vendors that may donate or discount the resources to produce them? I want it to be accessible to families with a cheap price point and think they would benefit from a hard copy versus digital version. 

Thank you, friends!

------------------------------
Alissa Haskins
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 4/19/2021 8:46:00 AM
From: Karen Hamilton
Subject: RE: School Cookbook Inquiry

I teach a group of special needs students and they have a garden at school. We try to make something from the things grown in their gardens and have them try new things. We have asked students to bring in a favorite family recipe that includes something that we have grown (for example: we grew squash and the kids brought in a recipe for squash casserole of pickled squash). We also tested out the recipes and made in class for them to taste. We put all the recipes they brought in, plus the others that we made in class into a recipe book. We included pictures of them in the garden harvesting things, the students preparing the ingredients for the recipes and them cooking and eating the recipes. 
Our school has a digital technology class and they printed them in color for us. We just provided the paper. They also put a spiral binder on them. We sold them for $5 each. We had a lot of positive feedback on them.
Good luck.

------------------------------
Karen Hamilton
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-12-2021 11:11
From: Alissa Haskins
Subject: School Cookbook Inquiry

Hello! 

Has anyone ever created a school cookbook either for purchase or fundraising? I'd love to compile recipes from our students families and sell a low-cost version for students and faculty members to purchase. However, it could become expensive. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on creating the format and if they know of any large retail vendors that may donate or discount the resources to produce them? I want it to be accessible to families with a cheap price point and think they would benefit from a hard copy versus digital version. 

Thank you, friends!

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Alissa Haskins
------------------------------

Awesome idea, Alissa! How many recipes are you thinking about including? If you don't include pictures that could bring printing costs down. 

Here are some ideas if you wanted to go the DIY route:
https://www.curbly.com/free-printable-recipe-cards
https://acoupleofstellys.com/how-to-make-diy-affordable-recipe-books/

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Lily Nguyen
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-12-2021 11:11:47 AM
From: Alissa Haskins
Subject: School Cookbook Inquiry

Hello! 

Has anyone ever created a school cookbook either for purchase or fundraising? I'd love to compile recipes from our students families and sell a low-cost version for students and faculty members to purchase. However, it could become expensive. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on creating the format and if they know of any large retail vendors that may donate or discount the resources to produce them? I want it to be accessible to families with a cheap price point and think they would benefit from a hard copy versus digital version. 

Thank you, friends!

------------------------------
Alissa Haskins
------------------------------

Creating a school cookbook can be a great project for fundraising and promoting community involvement. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Formatting: You can create a simple, straightforward format for your cookbook, with categories like appetizers, main dishes, desserts, etc. You can also include sections for healthy or vegetarian options.
2. Recipes: Encourage families and students to submit their favorite recipes to be included in the cookbook. You can also check out here or from local restaurants and businesses to add variety and highlight the community.
3. Design and Layout: Choose a simple, easy-to-read design for the cookbook. You can include photos of the finished dishes, along with the recipes and any special notes or stories from the contributors.
4. Printing and Distribution: To keep costs low, you can consider printing the cookbooks in bulk or using a print-on-demand service. You can also approach local businesses or printing companies to see if they would be willing to donate or discount printing services.
5. Fundraising: You can sell cookbooks through your school or local community organizations. You can also hold a special event or bake sale to promote the cookbook and raise additional funds.

In terms of retail vendors, you can look into companies like Amazon or Createspace, which offer print-on-demand services for low-cost printing and distribution. Additionally, you can approach local printing companies to see if they would be willing to donate or discount their services for a school project.

Good luck with your cookbook!

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Hannah Schubert
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-12-2021 11:11:47 AM
From: Alissa Haskins
Subject: School Cookbook Inquiry

Hello! 

Has anyone ever created a school cookbook either for purchase or fundraising? I'd love to compile recipes from our students families and sell a low-cost version for students and faculty members to purchase. However, it could become expensive. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on creating the format and if they know of any large retail vendors that may donate or discount the resources to produce them? I want it to be accessible to families with a cheap price point and think they would benefit from a hard copy versus digital version. 

Thank you, friends!

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Alissa Haskins
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