Cooking demonstration at Omaha Public Library to feature Grange recipes

Charles B. Washington Branch, 2868 Ames Ave., and No More Empty Pots will host a free cooking demonstration on Saturday, June 23, 1-3 p.m. This is the second demonstration in a quarterly series and all are welcome to attend. 

The event will feature American agricultural history in celebration of Independence Day. Recipes will be inspired by favorite foods from early American National Grange celebrations and will incorporate local and seasonal produce. Members of the Omaha chapter of the National Grange, the Carver Grange, will be present to share information about early agriculture and the role of the Grange. 

The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry has a rich 145-year history with agricultural roots. On January 3, 2012, Ed Luttrell, president of the National Grange, traveled from Washington, D.C. to Omaha to personally serve a charter to the Carver Grange of Omaha and help establish its first new Grange chapter in Nebraska in more than 100 years. The Omaha chapter is named in honor of George Washington Carver, who believed that agriculture had a way to lift society, improve lives and help people become self-sufficient. The primary goal of the Carver Grange of Omaha is to expand hands-on applied STEM education (science, technology, engineering and math) and develop transferable leadership skills in youth, while cultivating an interest in related food and agriculture educational opportunities and careers.

As part of an effort to promote education about food and cooking, No More Empty Pots presents these quarterly cooking demonstrations at Charles B. Washington Branch to highlight basic cooking techniques for community members, introduce themed ingredients or flavors along with related books or publications, and feature guest speakers. Additional cooking demonstrations are scheduled for September 22 and December 15. The events are free and open to the public. 

For more information about Carver Grange of Omaha, visit carvergrange.com. To learn more about No More Empty Pots, visit nomoreemptypots.org. Visit omahalibrary.org for information on additional events at Omaha Public Library’s 12 metro locations.