Welcome to Project Food Awareness. 

Zachary St. Laurent and Rachelle Lemieux are former students from Chicopee Comprehensive High School (class of 2017) who studied design and visual communications. During their time at CCHS, they  combined their passions for food and film to create a film series that highlights the local food being served in Chicopee Public Schools. Follow Zach and Rachelle as they visit local farms and learn about farm to school activities taking place in the district. To learn more, read our Project Food Awareness blog post here. Also, be sure to like the Project Food Awareness Facebook page and check out the hashtag #projectfoodawareness. 

Promo video

This video introduces Zachary St. Laurent and Rachelle Lemieux, the stars and videographers of the Project Food Awareness series. In this introductory video, the pair describe their motives and goals for the project. 

Episode 1  |  Joe's Farm 

In Episode 1, Zach and Rachelle visit local farmer, Joe Czajkowski, to learn more about where Chicopee schools' local fruits and vegetables are grown. Despite the field trip taking place at the end of the harvest season, we are given a behind-the-scenes look at how thousands of pounds of local butternut squash are processed and packaged for retail at local stores such as Whole Foods and Trader Joes. 

Episode 2  |  Lambert-lavoie

Zach and Rachelle visit neighboring elementary school, Lambert-Lavoie, to help FoodCorps Service Member Greta Shwachman prepare and taste test a recipe for local butternut squash noodles with 2nd - 5th graders. This video is sure to put a smile on your face! :) 

EPISODE 3  |  Mccray's Farm 

Rachelle and Zach visit local dairy farm, McCray's, to learn about milk production and the pasteurization process. Along the way they hang with Mike McCray in the milk processing facility, play with a baby cow, and try to stay dry in the rain. Did we mention there's a BABY COW??? Support local dairy by picking up some McCray's milk at your neighborhood Big Y or stopping by their adorable farm for ice cream, animals, and family fun!

Episode 4 | The Big E

Rachelle, Zach, and Sol head to the Big E for an epic day of taste testing! From locally-made pierogies to fried oreos, they try it all, and get the inside scoop from the vendors. Follow along on this fun and tasty adventure! And be sure to visit the Big E to try these foods yourself.