Zingerman's Roadhouse Chef Takes Nutrition Message on the Road to Local Schools

When it comes to healthy eating, Dexter chef Alex Young is on a mission to educate students in western Washtenaw County one classroom at a time.

Young, owner of Zingerman’s Roadhouse in Ann Arbor, dedicates several days of the year traveling to Dexter, Chelsea and Ann Arbor schools to teach students about fresh, locally-grown food.

On Thursday, Young and members of Dexter Community Schools Food Nutrition Services prepared a Mexican lunch called “el pastor” (pork marinated with dried chiles) along with fresh fruit and "dessert nachos" for students at .

“I try to get to each school in the Dexter school district at least twice a year,” Young said. “I’m just trying to help. Today there is a lot of emphasis on nutrition in the schools and they do a great job, but it can be better.”

In addition to the cafeteria program, Young also hosts school fieldtrips on his farm in Dexter, where students can learn how to harvest eggs and honey, how to compost, and the importance of free range meat and poultry versus confinement.

“We’re trying to educate kids on how destructive the country’s agriculture practices are to the earth,” he said. “Kids are smart and they make good decisions if you present them with the right choices.

"A lot of people don’t understand in today’s fast food world that you can find good food, you just have to look for it.”

Margee Farber, assistant director of Food Nutrition Services, said partnering with Young is a great opportunity to expose students to new food options.

“It’s wonderful that we’re able to bring Alex into our schools and incorporate some of his ideas for lunches,” Farber said. “He’s a great partner to work with and he enjoys interacting with the kids.”

Dexter parent Jill Boydston said she was impressed with Young’s willingness to donate much of his time to local classrooms.

“He’s awesome,” she said. “School lunches can get routine, but I think it’s great the school is trying to introduce kids to new dishes.”

Young said with children of his own in the Dexter school district, educating students and the public on healthy food alternatives is paramount.

“Anyone can just come in here and cook. I’m interested in the education aspect. If I can help one or two kids live better, it’s worth it,” he said.

Young himself said he has grown up around good food all his life and has been cooking for the past 20 years.

"Seven years ago I started my own farm and it just opened my eyes to the importance of teaching others about where their food comes from," he said.

Young will next travel to on Oct. 28 for a live cooking demonstration.