Oregon students build food center in Dixon Public Library

DIXON, Ill. (WTVO) — Students from Oregon schools went to Dixon on Friday to build a mini food center in the public library as part of a campaign to fight food insecurity.

Seven Oregon students were part of the program, which is in collaboration with the Ogle County Health Department, after it received a grant in 2023.

Last year, students built food centers in Ogle, Carroll, Lee, and Whiteside counties.

The food center was constructed in a classroom and then disassembled and reconstructed on site.

“They’re on an actual job site today. Everything that they’ve done in the classroom, in the shop at the school, they’re doing it in a real situation today. A lot of these kids will end up working in the trades eventually, that’s what they want to do,” explained Oregon High School agriculture teacher Seth McMillan.

After it is installed, the Sauk Valley Food Bank will provide fresh produce to the food center, making sure it remains stocked.

Oregon students will be building another food center next week in Creston, at its fire station.