Food Education is a vital part of students' development.

Since 2010, we have supported Pre-K-12 students with Food Education that is part of teachers’ classrooms and fosters informed food choices.

See the Impact
Watch co-founder Jason Hammel on the Food Network!
 
We are thrilled to be featured in the Food Network’s “Feed Your Passion” series, presented by Edward Jones! Check it out to see our co-founder, Chef Jason Hammel, lead a food education lesson in partnership with Chef Carla Hall at Chandra Garcia Kitch’s Chicago 3rd grade classroom at Ray Elementary.
 
Join the Pilot Light Team!

At Pilot Light, we believe that integrating Food Education into every day classroom instruction makes food relevant and exciting for students. We are dedicated to empowering and investing in educators as the leaders of Food Education. 

We’re currently seeking 4 individuals to join our programming team in their work supporting educators and students through Food Education. Visit our Careers page to learn more about these exciting opportunities! 

How you can support:

  • Donate
  • Share our Resources
  • Stay in Touch
  • Join our Team

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or community member, we hope you check out and share our resources:

Highly motivated PreK–12 educators in the United States with an interest in implementing Pilot Light Food Education lessons consistently in their virtual and/or in-person classrooms are encouraged to learn more and apply for our Food Education Fellowship each spring.

Learn More

Educators, caregivers, and young people can also check out our free library of classroom-based and eLearning lessons, videos, and recipes, as well as advocacy lessons to bring Food Education anywhere!

Visit the Food Education Center

We host professional development aligned to state standards and our own Food Education Standards. Stay tuned to our Calendar for upcoming events!

Learn about the standards here

We want to connect and collaborate with you! Want to know the latest from us, both inside the classroom and beyond?

We welcome you to sign up for our newsletter, contact us, and check out our blog!

Stay connected

We are looking for individuals who are passionate about Food Education and creating impact through our programs to join our team! 

Available positions: Curricula Manager, Fellowship Alumni Network (FAN) Manager, Program Evaluation Associate, SnackTime Explorers Program Coordinator 

Food Education Standards

Learn more about the first-ever national cohesive model for classroom food education, incorporating food as a lens for traditional subjects, such as Math, Reading, History, and Science.

Learn More

Our impact is measurable and growing. Help us expand our reach.

Our Impact

We've learned from past efforts and improved upon other approaches.

Our Difference

Meet the team that supports our Pilot Light teachers and students.

Our Team

Nov
3

Pilot Light Gala 2023 “Feed Your Mind”

Venue West (221 N. Paulina St) in West Loop/West Town

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News

Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight: Pilot Light Fellow Lisa E. Hosts a Food and Art Event for her Community at Alice Fong Yu Alternative School

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Instagram

We had SO MUCH fun yesterday gallagherwaychi’s FRENCH MARKET! Thank you to our longtime supporters at Marquee Development for sponsoring our booth, and to everyone who had fun with us in the (very hot) sun yesterday! Families got the chance to practice their SnackTime Explorer skills with Puprika’s scavenger hunt, sampling some tasty treats from French Market vendors and recording their observations about the sight, smell, taste, and texture of the new foods they tried. It was also so exciting to meet so many folks new to Pilot Light’s mission to empower educators and students as they build an equitable food systems future through Food Education. Thanks for having us, French Market! #gettogetheratgallagherway #pilotlightchefs #chicagoevents #chicagononprofit

Curious about how Food Education works in the classroom? Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to learn more & hear all the latest news and stories from Pilot Light - links are in our bio!
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Get egg-cited! 🐔 There's still time to apply for our AgEd & Advocacy teaching cohort! We've extended the deadline to June 2, the link in our bio to apply is open now for middle school science educators in chipubschools.

Our Agriculture Education (AgEd) & Advocacy program relies on our partnerships both with educators and local agriculture leaders: for example, our partners finnsranch, Alex and Sean, collaborated with us on informational videos like this one that are used in AgEd & Advocacy classrooms - thank you to entire Finn's Ranch team for their hard work & collaboration bringing AgEd into the classroom!

Give finnsranch a follow for the latest updates on their pasture-raised, family farm products available at Chicago area farmers markets and for delivery! They're also currently hiring a Farmers Market Manager - check out the full job description on their page!

#finnsranch #agriculture #agricultureeducation #foodeducation #pilotlightchefs #communitypartners #chicagoteachers #scienceteachers
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