The table is set for food-focused family fun at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History.

On Saturday, March 4, visitors can dig into global foodways at "What’s Cooking?" — a family day for exploring farms, markets and meals around the world. It is one of many courses in the museum’s spring menu of food-related events.

"What's Cooking" is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum, 1680 E. 15th Ave., near Hayward Field.

Participants can create culinary-inspired crafts to take home and learn about diverse food practices from students in the UO International Cultural Service Program. Local musician and storyteller Cullen Vance will join the fun with stories beginning at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

A star attraction will be the museum’s newest exhibit, “Hungry Planet: What the World Eats,” based on the award-winning book by Peter Menzel and Faith D’Aluisio. The exhibit features large-format photographs of family meals in 10 different cultures plus interactive stations and culinary artifacts from the museum’s collections.  

“The exhibit, crafts and activities invite families to explore their own food traditions while learning about other families’ traditions around the world,” said Robyn Anderson, the museum’s education coordinator. “There’ll be a lot of fun opportunities to consider how food fits into our day-to-day lives — and how it can unite us across cultures.”

Visitors also may donate a nonperishable food item to FOOD for Lane County, a partner in the museum’s “Hungry Planet” project.

Admission is $10 per family. Families presenting electronic benefit transfer cards will be admitted for $5 through the Museums for All program. Admission is free for museum members. New family memberships will be available for half-price throughout the event.

—By Kristin Strommer, Museum of Natural and Cultural History