In 2010 Fern Creek High School in Louisville, Kentucky, was labelled failing by the state and had half of its teachers removed. Brent Peters, a former chef and current English teacher, and Joe Franzen, an eccentric urban homesteader and history teacher, were hired to help ignite students’ passion for learning.

Say Yes to Pears tells the story of Food Literacy at Fern Creek High School and about how Food Lit. works in the English classroom, beyond the English classroom, and beyond the school day. The book serves as a pedagogical guide on how to construct a place- and community-based program focused on creative and critical thought and action.