The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - There was a definite air of excitement in the Waitsburg cafeteria during lunch on Oct. 2. "I want to try everything!" said an enthusiastic elementary student waiting his turn at a tasting table filled with fresh, locally produced fruits, vegetables, goat cheese and honey.

The majority of diners echoed the young man's enthusiasm, though a few of the less daring chose to pass on one or more delicacies, such as roasted beets, kohlrabi, kale chips or goat cheese.

Approximately 250 diners - students, staff and community members - visited the cafeteria for Waitsburg's first Taste of the Valley lunch - a local version of the state's Taste of Washington program spearheaded by food services manager Susan Wildey.

"I think things went really smoothly and I was so pleased with the turnout and support," said Wildey. "It took a lot of work to make everything come together but it was all worth it in the end. I think everyone had a smile on their face."

The well-attended lunch consisted of locally sourced cheeseburgers, potato salad, green salad and veggies. Waitsburg High ASB officers joined Tara Brenner of Numi Gardens and Melissa Weatherford and her children, of Little Dipper Dairy, in serving up smiles and encouragement along with samples from the tasting table. A drizzle of honey from the beehives of staffer Eleanora Montgomery served as dessert.

A group of eight graders sounded a bit like an 80's Life Cereal commercial as they gently cajoled a visitor, Pastor Mike Ferrians, who had never tried goat cheese before and was afraid it would taste "funky," to give it a shot. "Try it, you'll like it!" they urged repeatedly. Ferrians tasted two goat cheese dips and proved the kids right saying, "I loved them both!"

"Even our 'picky' students sampled some treats," said Wildey. "I was surprised at how many things the students tried. The breakfast blend goat cheese from Little Dipper Dairy and the Kale chips from Numi Gardens are items the kids are still raving about. They loved the peaches from Lamberts that were super sweet. Many students had not tried fresh pears before and Warren Orchards' were a hit."

Wildey said she was pleased with the turnout and support and said the district hopes to continue efforts to bring fresh local products to their students.

Local vendors and growers participating in Taste of the Valley included: Deer Pond Gardens, Montiellet Fromagerie, Country Cupboard Bakery, Shepherd's Grain, Numi Gardens, Little Dipper Dairy, Ed & Cathy Lambert, Warren Orchards and the Montgomery family.