Black Bird Farm visits Fit2cook4Kids

"You are what you eat" 

This is a phrase that many have probably heard, but do we actually consider what it means? The root of understanding this popular quote is understanding where your food is coming from. If the phrase "You are what you eat" has any truth, then it is vital to know what exactly you are eating.

At Fit2cook4Kids, we find it very important to teach the campers the importance of supporting local farmers and knowing where your food comes from. Most Americans have never met the farmer who grew the food on their plate or the methods used in the preparation process. By purchasing local produce, meat and dairy, you can find out exactly where your food is coming from, how it was prepared and many times even meet the farmers who grew the food themselves. To help the campers understand this concept on a personal level, Ann Marie Bouthillette from Black Bird Farm in Smithfield, RI came to visit to share her stories.

At Black Bird Farm, the Bouthillette family humanely raises all-natural, hormone-free, pasture-fed, 100% Black Angus cattle, 100% pedigreed American Heritage Berkshire pigs and organic, free-range Rhode Island Red eggs. The great thing about the Bouthillette family is they can tell you anything you would want to know about the animals, whether it be the pedigree, when the animal was born, what it was fed, how it was raised or when it was harvested! Black Bird Farm can assure you that you are receiving high quality food with no chemicals of any sort! No hormones are ever injected or fed to their animals. They have farm stands where you can buy their products straight from the source and even offer cooking classes! Classes can be helpful to learn how to prepare different cuts of meat and prepare side dishes using local produce.

The campers learned so much from listening to Ann Marie talk about the farm and her practices. It was a great way to create a personal connection between the food on their plate and where it comes from. It is evident when listening to Ann Marie speak that she cares deeply about the animals on their farm and their well being.

For more information about Black Bird Farm, visit their website