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.
May 10, 2019
By PilotLight
Pilot Light and the Chan Zuckerburg Initiative – Building a Future for Everyone
We are excited to announce that, with the support of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), Pilot Light is conducting meetings and site visits with FoodCorps to explore the intersection of our work and how we can partner to strengthen the nationwide food education movement. We are also collaborating with researchers to explore positive relationships between
Read More >>April 12, 2019
By PilotLight
Envisioning a Food Educated Chicago
Last month, Pilot Light welcomed representatives from partner organizations to The Future of Food Education, a breakfast designed to foster conversations and visioning around a food educated Chicago. Hosted at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center and in partnership with its Community Programs Accelerator, guests from more than 20 organizations participated, including Growing Home, Common
Read More >>March 10, 2019
By PilotLight
Growing our Partnership with the University of Chicago
Pilot Light’s partnership with the University of Chicago continues to grow! With thanks to Advisory Board members Dr. Deb Burnet and Dr. Mike Quinn, we are the proud recipients of a grant from the Institution for Translational Medicine at the University of Chicago. Through the $60,000 grant ($18,250 of which will directly support Pilot
Read More >>January 24, 2019
By PilotLight
Pilot Light Awarded the Chicago Housing Consulting Services Grant
Yesterday, Pilot Light was among fellow Chicago non-profits attending the Embracing Youth Opportunities Award ceremony. Pilot Light is excited to be the recipient of the Chicago Housing Consulting Services grant, providing $5000 to help extend food education programs. With the support from the Chicago Housing Consulting Services grant, Pilot Light will extend its “Love
Read More >>January 16, 2019
By PilotLight
goop Features Pilot Light
Pilot Light is featured in the goop Guide to Volunteering.
Read More >>August 23, 2018
By PilotLight
Chicago Chefs Paul Kahan, Matthias Merges and Jason Hammel cook-off for the Feed Your Mind Gala Auction Winner
On July 28 Pilot Light co-founders Paul Kahan, Matthias Merges and Jason Hammel spent the evening delighting guests as they cooked a private meal for the Feed Your Mind Gala previous year’s auction winner. The chefs rolled-up their sleeves to create a BBQ feast for the winner and guests. Chef Paul Kahan (One Off Hospitality
Read More >>August 1, 2018
By PilotLight
Growing Together: Bass Elementary commits to growing it’s community garden with support from the Englewood Quality of Life Fund
Pilot Light is pleased to be the recipient of the Englewood Quality of Life Fund, which is providing $1800 to help support developing the community garden at Bass Elementary School in the 2018-2019 school year. The community garden project was brought to life at the On the Table event the past May. Pilot Light chefs
Read More >>July 19, 2018
By PilotLight
Crispy Zucchini Blossoms
Ingredients ⅔ cup all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder 3 leaves fresh basil, minced 2 tbsp. finely grated Parmesan cheese 2 tbsp. cold water 2 eggs, beaten 3 cups oil, for frying 12 zucchini blossoms Directions In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, basil and Parmesan cheese. Mix in water and eggs
Read More >>July 11, 2018
By PilotLight
Beyond the Classroom and On the Table
Pilot Light is excited to be the recipient of the Acting Up awards, one of 37 grants from The Chicago Community Trust’s fifth annual On the Table forum. The On the Table forum took place in May 2018, wherein Pilot Light and other organizations gathered with Chicago residents for one day to engage in meaningful
Read More >>July 6, 2018
By PilotLight
Pilot Light Awarded U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm to School Grant to Expand Healthy High School Lunch Program
Pilot Light is excited to announce that we are a recipient of a 2018 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Farm to School Implementation Grant, which supports programs bringing local foods into schools. Pilot Light was awarded $60,055, which will be used to expand our food education and experience program from
Read More >>