Welcome to Pilot Light’s Feeding Minds blog! Here, we get to tell the story of Food Education through in-depth stories from our classrooms, partnership spotlights, new program announcements, and opinion pieces from guest authors and the Pilot Light team. Join us in exploring the power of food to connect, excite, and empower us to build a better future together.
July 26, 2024
By lilystark
Food advocacy student projects create lasting change in upstate and central New York
Food advocacy is a skill that takes practice, patience, and dedication. At Pilot Light, we believe that truly comprehensive Food Education cannot exist without including an exploration of food justice and advocacy for students of all ages. That’s why every year our Food Education Fellows end their time in the program with a student-led food
Read More >>June 6, 2024
By lilystark
Pilot Light and SOFSA: Planting the Seeds of Partnership
Pilot Light and SOFSA (the Syracuse Onondaga Food Systems Alliance) have big plans for the future of Food and Agriculture Education in Syracuse, NY. When small organizations join forces, they have the potential to grow from a single seed of an idea into an orchard of impact. Here’s how we plan to sprout big changes
Read More >>May 13, 2024
By lilystark
The Feeding Futures Fellowship
Introducing FEEDING FUTURES: a new opportunity for teachers in Chicago, Decatur, and East St. Louis interested in Food Education! The Feeding Futures Fellowship application is officially open! This new initiative is a two-year, paid professional development program for 3rd through 5th grade teachers in Chicago, Decatur, and East St. Louis, IL. Pilot Light is currently
Read More >>March 5, 2024
By lilystark
SnackTime Explorers Expansion Commitment accepted by The White House!
Pilot Light and our partners at FRESHEALTH are thrilled to announce that through the support of The Savage Family Office, we are joining The White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities through the expansion of SnackTime Explorers! The SnackTime Explorers expansion plan will grow the reach of the educational toolkit to include all
Read More >>November 22, 2023
By lilystark
When Teachers and Chefs Build Partnerships, Lessons Come Alive
How to Build a Teacher and Chef Partnership Chef James Martin and Pilot Light Educators Paul Floyd & Rita Leary on how teachers and chefs can connect to create meaningful Food Education experiences Since 2013, Pilot Light has brought together teachers and chefs to create hands-on Food Education experiences for students in the classroom. What
Read More >>October 9, 2023
By lilystark
Corrina Hargett Grows Student Connections to School Food
Educator Corrina Hargett Grows Student Connection to School Food – School Lunch Week 2023 Happy School Lunch Week! This year, Pilot Light is all about Celebrating School Food though sharing stories of classroom connection and mealtime memories from our community of educators, chefs, staff, and other supporters. Today, we sat down with Pilot Light 2022-23 Fellowship
Read More >>August 16, 2023
By lilystark
5th Annual Food Education Fellowship: Welcome, Fellows!
Welcome, 2023-24 Food Education Fellows! We are thrilled to announce that we have welcomed 25 new educators to our 5th Annual Food Education Fellowship! This week marked the official beginning of what is sure to be a fantastic Fellowship school year! Summer Institute Last week, our new cohort of educators joined us for our Summer
Read More >>July 24, 2023
By lilystark
Pilot Light Awarded a 2023 USDA Farm to School Grant!
Pilot Light Receives a USDA Farm to School Grant to Expand the Food Education Fellowship! July 24, 2023 – Pilot Light is thrilled to announce that we have been recognized as a 2023 Farm to School grantee! A USDA-funded program, Farm to School awards grants and provides resources to organizations that offer food and nutrition
Read More >>May 12, 2023
By lilystark
Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight: Pilot Light Fellow Lisa E. Hosts a Food and Art Event for her Community at Alice Fong Yu Alternative School
By contributing writer Emily March, Pilot Light Intern Every school year, our Food Education Fellows create thoughtful, engaging lessons for students to learn about the connections between food and their daily lives. Today, we would like to highlight one particular Fellow Lisa Ernst, a 6th grade teacher at Alice Fong Yu Alternative School, who teaches
Read More >>April 18, 2023
By lilystark
Pilot Light, FRESHEALTH, & the USDA join Puprika the Puppy Chef on a SnackTime Explorer Adventure!
Read Puprika’s ADVENTURE NOTES from Real SnackTime Explorer Classrooms! Greetings, Explorers! My name is Puprika, puppy chef and leader of the all-new SNACKTIME EXPLORER expedition team! Over the past several months, Chicago Public Schools 2nd grade students have embarked on weekly explorations of Fresh Fruit and Vegetable (FFVP) snacks, fresh produce snacks delivered to their
Read More >>