We Care Fresh Food Initiative

The We Care Program provides students with a free bag of produce filled with a mix of fresh fruits and vegetables each week! Students who are interested can fill out the form on Archway. After you join, please select forms and sign up for the week you would like to receive fresh produce.

Common Items Found in Fresh Food Bags

  • Avacado
  • Bananas
  • Carrots
  • Cucumbers
  • Eggs
    • Oranges
    • Onions
    • Potatoes
    • Spinach
    • Tomatos

Recipes Ideas

Below you will find some recipe ideas utilizing our most common items. 

Main Meals

Roasted Tomato White Bean and Spinach Stew

Spinach Potato with Orange Caramelized Onions

Bell Pepper Pasta

Potato Stew

Potato Frittata

Mushroom Pasta

Stuffed Peppers

Carrot and Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie

Broccoli Mac and Cheese

Soups, Salads and Sides

Tomato Soup

Butternut Squash Soup

Beet and Spinach Salad

Cucumber/Avocado/Tomato Salad

Mango Salsa

Potato Latkes

Roasted Cauliflower

Croutons

Breakfast and Snacks

Orange Banana Smoothie

Spinach Banana Smoothie

Avocado Toast

Banana French Toast

Baked Carrot Chips

Baking and Frozen Treats

Banana Bread

Orange Muffins

Sweet Potato Cookies

Fruit Ice Pops

Cooking with a Microwave

You do not need a full kitchen to prepare vegetables from your Fresh Food bag! Many vegetables can be cooked in a microwave using a microwave-safe dish, a cover, and a small amount of water.

Microwave Cooking Tips
  • Use microwave-safe dishes and covers.
  • Leave an opening for steam to escape. Do not seal the container tightly.
  • Cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces to help them cook evenly.
  • Allow food to stand after cooking. Retained heat continues cooking the food during this time.
  • Use oven mitts when handling hot dishes and open covers away from your face.
  • Check the manufacturer’s instructions before moving a dish from the microwave to an oven. Microwave-safe does not necessarily mean oven-safe.
  • View USDA microwave cooking guidance
Preparing Fresh Vegetables

What you will need:

  • 2 cups of fresh vegetables, cut into similar-sized pieces
  • 1–2 tablespoons of water
  • A microwave-safe dish and cover
  • Your choice of seasonings

Directions:

  1. Rinse or scrub vegetables under running water before cutting.
  2. Place the vegetables and water in a microwave-safe dish.
  3. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plate, leaving a small opening for steam to escape.
  4. Microwave on HIGH using the suggested cooking times below. Stir or rearrange the vegetables partway through cooking.
  5. Let stand for 1–2 minutes. Use oven mitts to remove the dish and open the cover away from your face.
  6. Check for tenderness. If needed, continue cooking in 30-second intervals.
  7. Drain excess water and add your favorite seasonings or sauce.

Suggested Cooking Times

These times are for approximately 2 cups of vegetables cut into similar-sized pieces:

  • Asparagus or bok choy: 2–3 minutes
  • Carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, or green beans: 3–4 minutes
  • Cut potatoes, cut sweet potatoes, or Brussels sprouts: About 5 minutes

Cooking times vary depending on your microwave’s power, the amount of food, and the size of the pieces. Start with the shorter time and add more as needed. These instructions are for cut vegetables, rather than whole potatoes.

Adding Flavor

After cooking, try adding:

  • Olive oil or butter with salt and pepper
  • Lemon juice and garlic powder
  • Parmesan cheese
  • A small amount of soy sauce
  • Your favorite herbs or seasoning blend

You can also add cooked vegetables to rice, pasta, soup, or other meals.

Vegetable Recipes

Looking for more ways to use your vegetables? The resource below includes recipes for broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, and potatoes. Follow each recipe’s quantities and instructions, since its cooking time may differ from the general guide above.

  • Steamed Broccoli: Prepare broccoli in the microwave and season with butter, lemon juice, or Parmesan cheese.
  • Steamed Spinach: Cook spinach in a microwave-safe covered dish, stirring and checking before adding more time.
  • Cooked Mushrooms: Microwave sliced mushrooms, drain excess liquid, and season as desired.
  • Shortcut Roasted Potatoes — Microwave and Oven Required: Begin cooking the potatoes in the microwave, then finish them in an oven to brown and crisp them.
  • View the vegetable recipes and detailed instructions

Cooking Pasta in a Microwave

Pasta can be prepared in a microwave without using a stove. Short shapes, such as penne, macaroni, and rotini, work best.

What you will need:

  • Approximately 2½–3 ounces (75 grams) of dry pasta
  • About 1⅔ cups (400 milliliters) of water, enough to cover the pasta completely
  • A large, deep microwave-safe bowl
  • A spoon and strainer
  • Your choice of sauce or seasonings

Directions:

  1. Place the pasta and water in the bowl. Leave plenty of space above the water to allow for bubbling and expansion.
  2. Microwave uncovered on HIGH for 4–5 minutes.
  3. Carefully stir using oven mitts to handle the hot bowl.
  4. Continue cooking in 1–2 minute intervals, stirring and checking the pasta after each interval. Keep the pasta covered with water, adding a little more if needed.
  5. Once the pasta reaches your preferred tenderness, carefully drain it using a strainer.
  6. Add heated pasta sauce, olive oil, cheese, or your favorite seasonings.

Suggested cooking time: Approximately 11–12 minutes when starting with room-temperature water in a 900-watt microwave. Different pasta shapes and microwave power levels may require more or less time.

Making it a meal:

  • Add cooked broccoli, spinach, or other vegetables from your Fresh Food bag.
  • Mix with canned beans or drained canned tuna.
  • Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese.

Helpful tips:

  • Use a large bowl rather than a small mug to reduce the chance of boiling over.
  • Stir regularly to prevent sticking.
  • Be careful when draining—the bowl, water, and steam will be hot.
  • Heat ready-to-eat sauce separately according to its package instructions.
  • View Good Food’s microwave pasta guide
Microwave Sweets and Desserts

You can prepare individual desserts in a microwave without using an oven. Mug cakes and bread pudding are simple options that use small amounts of common ingredients.

Follow each recipe’s ingredient amounts, dish size, and cooking instructions. Cooking times vary by microwave. Use oven mitts when removing dishes and allow desserts to cool before eating.

Recipes to try:

Do not taste uncooked cake batter. Flour and eggs need to be cooked before eating.