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.
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 >>July 5, 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 >>June 12, 2018
By PilotLight
Chicago Teachers and Students Share their Food Advocacy Projects
As the school year wraps up, Pilot Light joined together with participants of the Pilot Light Institute for Food Education to showcase teachers’ Food Advocacy Projects. Each teacher was tasked with developing student-driven food advocacy projects to teach students to work together toward a common goal that advances wellness in their communities. From community
Read More >>May 17, 2018
By PilotLight
Sunflower Seed and Herb Dip
Ingredients 2 Cups Sunflower Seeds, Toasted 1 Cup Spinach Leaves ½ Cup Parsley Leaves ¼ Cup Dill Fronds ¼ Cup Olive Oil 1 Cup Water, More If Needed To Start Blending 1 Clove Garlic, Roasted Salt, To Taste Lemon Juice, To Taste ½ Cup Greek Yogurt Directions Place all ingredients except the salt, lemon, and
Read More >>By PilotLight
On the Table – A conversation and collaboration to drive change
Last Tuesday, May 8, Pilot Light chefs and staff joined together with teachers, parents, students and community members to discuss the current challenges they are facing and ideate on how food education can be a catalyst to create change and drive progress within their communities. School teachers and staff from Ray Elementary school in Hyde
Read More >>May 11, 2018
By PilotLight
An interview with Pilot Light participant and Golden Apple award winner, Meghan Dolan
Meghan Dolan is a veteran teacher. With 15 years under her belt, she has seen a lot inside and outside the classroom while teaching in Iowa (Dubuque), Missouri (Ferguson) and now Chicago. Meghan currently resides at John M. Palmer Elementary School in the North Mayfair neighborhood teaching third grade and co-teaching with a special education
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