WAREHOUSE OF BANJA LUKA SCHOOL STOCKED WITH HOMEMADE DELICACIES

Pickles, ajvar, mixed salads, red and yellow pickled peppers, and hot chili peppers are just some of the homemade preserves prepared this year by the hardworking students and teachers of the Agricultural School in Banja Luka.

PHOTO: Glas Srpske

All interested citizens can purchase these homemade products every working day at the school's warehouse from 8 AM to 2 PM. Prices range from 4 KM for small jars of pickles and peppers, to 10–12 KM for large jars. Ajvar is priced at 7 KM, hot chili peppers at 5 KM, and mixed salad at 10 KM.

Nemanja Jelić, a practical training teacher at the school, told Glas Srpske that in addition to making preserves, the school also offers cold-pressed juice services for third parties at a price of 3 KM per bottle.

"Unfortunately, our tomatoes let us down this year — the harvest was poor, so we couldn’t make tomato sauce, pelati, or ketchup. However, we still have last year’s stock available for purchase," said Jelić.

According to him, all products have a minimum shelf life of one and a half years, and everything is made naturally and thoroughly checked.

"Still, people hesitate to buy something that lasts that long. Ironically, they buy frozen meat, processed salami, and sprayed vegetables from stores without question, but are suspicious when it comes to homemade goods," Jelić added.

Students at the school also produce craft beer called “Maturant” as well as various types of cheese.

"When the vegetable garden season slows down, we focus on other activities. Using store-bought milk, we make pizza cheese, spreadable cheese, and semi-hard cheeses. We’ve even made mozzarella several times. In winter, we also occasionally brew beer," Jelić explained.

He pointed out that students who are truly eager to learn can acquire all the necessary skills for managing a household at this school — although, unfortunately, they are in the minority.

"Our food industry is in poor shape, and agriculture is becoming less and less appealing to young people. Everyone wants to go into IT, medicine, economics, or remote jobs — but very few are willing to roll up their sleeves," said Jelić, adding that this trend is also affecting our diet, which is increasingly based on ready-made and fast food.

Students of the Agricultural School also run a small bakery workshop where they produce baked goods served in the school canteen. This week, the Government of Republika Srpska approved 50,000 KM to equip practical training classrooms for the baker vocation at the school.

School officials said that the funds will be used to modernize the existing mini-bakery, which will enable more advanced and up-to-date production.