GreenStar Community Partnership: Local High School Student Explores a Future Career in Our Central Kitchen

Every Tuesday afternoon, Dakota Ryerson makes her way down the hill from Lehman Alternative Community School to the GreenStar Central Kitchen, where she is learning practical skills to work in food service. This is part of a partnership between GreenStar and the Career Explorations Class at LACS.

GreenStar staff member Sean McKean helped bring the work experience program to GreenStar. Sean previously worked at LACS running community service projects for students like Dakota. When he began working at GreenStar, he suggested the Co-op open its doors to students in the career explorations class. According to Sean, having students in the kitchen helps teach the kids about natural foods, healthy eating, and practical work skills, and could even create future employees for GreenStar.

For students like Dakota, the Career Explorations Class counts as community service and credit for overall coursework. Dakota was interested in working in a kitchen (her father works in the food service industry) and learning more about the culinary field.  She started in the GreenStar Central Kitchen about a year ago. On Tuesdays, Dakota preps salads, dressings, and GreenStar’s signature meatloaf. Sean supervises Dakota in the kitchen and has been impressed with her ability to balance speed and attention to detail during her shift. Dakota is proud of her work, what she has learned, and the valuable experience she has gained. She hopes to attend the Culinary Institute of America and open her own bakery someday.

Though Dakota will graduate in a couple of years, GreenStar plans to continue the partnership with LACS and the Career Explorations Class. Together the school and the Co-op can help teach the next generation about healthy eating, cooking from scratch, and valuable skills needed for the workforce.