I like the idea of starting slowly and implementing more and more as we go. This will be new to me but I have done some active learning activities in the past that have been very helpful and do not require hi cost of items.
an example for me of active learning was to cover the primal cuts of Beef, Veal, Pork and lamb. By dividing my students into groups I had each group draw the animal, name the primals,subrimals and give percentages of body weight. Then describe what the primals could be used for in cooking. Students have always loved this