A new program is giving students a hands-on introduction to fresh food, local agriculture, and healthy cooking. It all begins with one small citrus fruit with deep Central Coast roots.

California Kids Cook, launched by California Grown, helps children understand the full journey of food, from farm to store, then from kitchen to home. The program’s first event took place in Santa Barbara at Gelson’s. It featured Central Coast Girl Scouts along with Ojai Pixie grower Robert Kittrege, bringing the region’s agricultural story directly to local students.

At its heart, California Kids Cook is about making healthy eating engaging and memorable. The program connects farmers, grocers, schools, youth organizations, and families and gives children an opportunity to see where fresh produce comes from and how to use it with confidence once they bring it home.

“It is immensely important to educate — and engage with — our future shoppers,” said Cherie Watte, executive director of California Grown. “California Grown is thrilled to partner with Gelson’s and the Ojai Pixie growers…to offer this unique experience connecting Santa Barbara youth with the people who produce, sell, and prepare California agricultural products.”

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A Grocery Store Becomes a Classroom

That mission came to life during the inaugural event. There, participating students from the Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast stepped into the shoes of an Ojai Pixie grower. The citrus-focused experience was managed in partnership with Melissa’s Produce. It introduced students to the agricultural side of the beloved local fruit before they headed into the store for a series of interactive activities.

Inside Gelson’s, students took part in culinary demonstrations, tastings, and a scavenger hunt-style shopping challenge. Equipped with a Pixie-inspired recipe and a Gelson’s gift card, they selected their own ingredients. The focus is learning how to shop for fresh, seasonal items with both purpose and budget in mind.

For Gelson’s, the program reflects long-standing values around local agriculture and community health.

“Supporting our California growers, communities, and healthy eating have always been cornerstones of Gelson’s. We are thrilled to see these pillars come to life through the California Kids Cook program,” said Rich Almanza, director of produce for Gelson’s.

Cooking With Fresh, Local Ingredients

The experience did not stop in the produce aisle. Back in the kitchen, Gelson’s in-house chef Tony Dang showed students how to turn their ingredients into simple, flavorful dishes. In addition to preparing the featured recipe, he demonstrated two more Ojai Pixie dishes. He also shared practical lessons on kitchen safety and ways to make fresh, locally grown ingredients more approachable and exciting.

The Girl Scouts’ participation added another layer of meaning to the day. Through the farm and store activities, scouts had the chance to work toward earning their Power of Produce badges. While earning their badge they are building skills that extend well beyond the event itself.

Building Skills Beyond the Badge

“We are delighted California Grown and Gelson’s are giving our Girl Scouts a unique and fun opportunity to earn the Power of Produce badges with the farm tour and store activities,” said Erin Mayo, director of mission delivery for Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast. “We want our young girls to form positive memories — and lifelong skills and habits — and opportunities like California Kids Cook are critical for that development.”

Taking California Agriculture Home

Students then took their ingredients and recipes home, where the lessons could continue around the family table. That take-home component is central to the program’s broader goal. That goal is to turn one day of discovery into lasting habits around seasonal cooking, nutrition, and appreciation for California agriculture.

With its first event in Santa Barbara, California Kids Cook offers a promising model for how communities can bring agriculture education to life. By pairing local growers like Robert Kittridge with retailers, chefs, and youth organizations, the program turns healthy eating into something tangible, local, and fun.

And in a state where agriculture shapes both landscape and lifestyle, that kind of connection can leave a lasting impression.

Article and images by Alison Needham @atable_defloured for CA GROWN.