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.
March 22, 2023
By lilystark
Pilot Light & FRESHEALTH Advocate for Food Education in DC!
Notes from Taylor Meredith, Education Strategy Consultant for Pilot Light & former elementary school teacher and instructional coach with experience in New York City and suburban Chicago public schools. At Pilot Light, our programs, lesson plans, and daily operations are all guided by the Food Education Standards. These are 7 educational standards written by a
Read More >>January 12, 2023
By lilystark
Mobile Cart Kitchen Sponsored by Rabobank Ignites Passion for Learning in Chicago Pilot Light Students!
Pilot Light relies on our amazing Fellows and support from dozens of mission-aligned partners to deliver our model in classrooms across the country. That truth was very much in evidence in November when one of our corporate partners, Rabobank, visited Food Education Fellow Catherine Yackee’s classroom at Brooks College Preparatory High School in Chicago’s Pullman
Read More >>January 9, 2023
By lilystark
SnackTime Explorers Launches in CPS This Week!
2023 is off to an exciting start with the launch of SnackTime Explorers! On January 11, students and educators across Chicago Public Schools will be transformed into the first ever SnackTime Explorers through a brand-new exciting collaboration between Pilot Light and FRESHEALTH. SnackTime Explorers is an educational toolkit designed to supplement the USDA’s Fresh Fruit
Read More >>November 12, 2022
By PilotLight
Announcing the Brian E. Kruk Memorial Fund
In Tribute to our Beloved Board Member and Friend, Brian Kruk 1981-2022 November 4, 2022 During the 2022 Feed Your Mind Gala, on behalf of the Pilot Light Board of Directors, President Matthias Merges and Treasurer Frank Mahoney announced the creation of the Brian E. Kruk Memorial Fund. Brian Kruk was a dear friend
Read More >>September 26, 2022
By PilotLight
The Upcoming White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health
On September 28, 2022 the Biden-Harris Administration will host the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in 50 years. The last conference to address this topic, in 1969, resulted in policy changes that expanded programs like SNAP, WIC, and school food programming. The White House has outlined five key pillars to guide
Read More >>September 8, 2022
By PilotLight
Announcing Our New USDA NIFA-Funded AgEd & Advocacy Program
August 8, 2022 (Chicago, IL) – Pilot Light today announced a new initiative, called AgEd & Advocacy, that will provide 6th-8th grade Chicago teachers with classroom activities, resources, and professional development to support the delivery of a research-based agriculture education program in their classrooms. The program will also feature a Youth Peer Leader Training to
Read More >>September 7, 2022
By PilotLight
Pilot Light Supports HB 4813
In June, Illinois Governor Pritzker signed House Bill 4813 into law. Prior to this bill, school districts in the state that participated in the National School Lunch Program (a federal program that reimburses school districts that are serving free and reduced lunches to qualifying students) were required to enter into food service contracts with the
Read More >>September 1, 2022
By PilotLight
Pilot Light Kicks Off A New School Year by Welcoming 25 Food Education Fellows to Institute!
Pilot Light kicked off August with our two-day Summer Institute, the first professional development session for our 2022-23 Food Education Fellows. Fellows were introduced to our Food Education Standards and learned how to make experiential food education a part of classroom learning. We also welcomed two guests speakers, including Chef Jessica Pamonicutt, who shared the
Read More >>By PilotLight
USDA FNS Administrator Cindy Long Visits Pilot Light
This week, Pilot Light was honored to welcome Administrator Cindy Long from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) to visit one of our Chicago classrooms to get a first-hand look at Pilot Light’s engaging food education in action. Administer Long was touring the work that the USDA FNS does
Read More >>July 20, 2022
By PilotLight
Pilot Light’s Associate Board Welcomes Thirteen Members
Pilot Light’s Associate Board The Associate Board raises awareness of and funds for Pilot Light by promoting their food education programs. In addition, members support Pilot Light by: Cultivating relationships. Engaging others via social media, in social functions, and events. Volunteering for Pilot Light. Recruiting New Associate Board Members In April, Pilot Light’s Associate Board
Read More >>