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obesity and other chronic diseases.” What are
The program is a great fit for Meatless Mondays,
and worked particularly well at the company’s Catholic Heirloom
schools on Fridays during Lent, where it increased the
variety. “We do the beans in a lot of different ways — a Beans?
three-bean salad, or tri-bean chili, or Tuscan stews,”
said Yee. “They are dishes that are hearty. We will make
our own black bean burgers. We try to be creative, so eirloom beans have a
it is not just one style. I try to put in all types of cui- Hhistory. Passed down
sines from around the world because there is so much through generations, they’re
flavor out there, from American comfort to German, prized for their distinct color
Greek, Saudi Arabian. We want to open their palates and flavor characteristics.
to something new that they can take with them.”
After an initial reluctance, students started taking Heirloom beans are tradition-
to the program. “From the beginning, I built the trust ally grown by small farmers
with great food and healthy food for them. They are and therefore are harder to
willing to try; they gave it a shot,” he said. “Now that find than the generic, in-
it has been a couple of weeks, the students are getting dustrially-grown beans. Ac-
more involved, they are trying it. They are also giving cording to Steve Sando, the
me feedback on the dishes, sometimes on how their founder of Rancho Gordo,
moms and dads or grandmothers would use the beans.” “Heirloom beans tend to
Education is also part of the program. “We had all have a lower yield and can
of the information, and all of the research and how it be much more difficult to
helped us to be greener,” said Yee. “We put it on fly- grow, but the payoff is in the
ers and posted it in cafes. We have table tents that tell
them what the benefits are from health to helping the unique flavors and textures
Earth. We also talk to the students, too. When they have that you don’t find with
questions, my staff explains things to them.” —OCH bland commodity beans.”

ON-CAMPUS HOSPITALITY APRIL 2017 | 15