Purple Asparagus Founder Melissa Graham Wins Good Eating Award!

February 28, 2011 | Written By: Healthy Schools Campaign

 
 
Melissa Graham reads to students during Chef in Classroom Day in Oct. 2010.

Melissa Graham, founder of Purple Asparagus and Monogramme Events and Catering, has been recognized by the Chicago Tribune with a 2011 Good Eating Award!

Graham founded Purple Asparagus in 2005 to teach Chicago students about eating food that is good for both the body and the planet. Purple Asparagus plays an important role in Go for the Gold, HSC’s partnership with Chicago Public Schools to support schools in meeting the high standards for school food, nutrition education and physical activity set by the HealthierUS School Challenge. Purple Asparagus provides nutrition education to schools and was instrumental in shaping our exciting Chef in the Classroom Day.  

With this award, Graham is honored for working to spread knowledge about healthy eating to schools around the city.

“It's sometimes shocking, Graham says, how limited kids' experience with food has been. She recalls one student who approached her after a class on citrus and said she'd never tried an orange before. 'It's so easy to go to the grocery store and buy something that's quick and processed,' said Graham, who also founded Monogramme Events and Catering, which specializes in seasonal and sustainable cuisine. 'There's not enough knowledge about how to work with things that are whole.'”

Congratulations, Melissa! To learn more about the Chicago Tribune’s Good Eating Award and see the other winners, click here!

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Plus! Purple Asparagus is a great nutrition education resource. To read a Healthy Schools Campaign spotlight, click here!