Red stylized illustration of five fish swimming together

2026 Education FORUMS

Heritage Food Preservation

Learn traditional techniques from multiple cultures:

  • Nordic smoking and curing methods adapted to Pacific salmon

  • Asian fermentation traditions using local vegetables

  • Indigenous plant preservation and seasonal timing

  • Depression-era stretching strategies and community sharing

  • Contemporary food safety and storage methods

Winter Survival Cooking & Food Security

  • Hearty, nutritious meals using seasonal ingredients and budget-friendly methods

  • Slow cooker and casserole techniques accessible to all skill levels

  • Stews, breads, preserved foods, and fermented beverages for winter health

  • Connection between traditional techniques and modern food assistance programs

Intergenerational Knowledge Sharing

High School Cultural Heritage Liaison Program:

  • Partner Assignment: Each student paired with a local restaurant, cultural organization, or community cook

  • Research Component: Document the cultural history and heritage behind their assigned dish

  • Ingredient Coordination: Arrange sourcing of authentic ingredients from local producers

  • Recipe Development: Work with their partner to adapt traditional recipes for festival presentation

  • Cultural Documentation: Interview elders or cultural knowledge keepers about traditional preparation methods

  • Festival Presentation: On-site expert during the festival, explaining heritage, ingredients, and techniques to attendees

Academic Requirements Fulfilled:

  • Volunteer Hours: Community liaison work, ingredient sourcing, setup assistance, festival day participation

  • Presentation Component: Festival day cultural education role, plus formal presentation to school/community

  • Research Project: Written documentation of cultural food history and traditional techniques

  • Community Service: Meaningful contribution to food security and cultural preservation initiatives

  • Professional References: Restaurant owners and community leaders provide job/college recommendation letters

Example Student Projects:

  • "Norwegian Fish Preservation Techniques: From Homeland to Astoria Waters"

  • "Japanese Street Food Meets Pacific Northwest Foraging: Kenzo's Fusion at Būsu"

  • "Depression-Era Cooking: How Local Families Stretched Resources During Hard Times"

  • "Indigenous Plant Knowledge: Traditional Foods of the Columbia River Delta"

  • "The Hudson Family Legacy: Four Generations of Cranberry Farming Heritage"

Student Benefits:

  • Real-world professional experience working with local businesses

  • Direct mentorship from community cultural knowledge keepers

  • Portfolio material for college applications

  • Understanding of their own community's cultural diversity

  • Leadership skills through public education role

  • Connections with local food systems and producers

Living History: Elders and knowledge keepers sharing with youth through structured partnerships

Community Food Systems Education

Understanding the complete local food web from indigenous knowledge through contemporary food assistance programs, connecting farms, markets, restaurants, and family tables.