Pilot Light programs equip educators with everything the need to weave food literacy into existing academic frameworks like math, science, social studies, and more. This standards-based, teacher-led, student-driven approach helps educate the next generation of food system leaders.
Benefits of our free programs
Educators compensated
Designed with teachers in mind
Easily adapts to meet schools’ individual needs
Leadership opportunities and peer support
Program Offerings
The Food Education Fellowship
A yearlong paid professional development program for PreK-12 U.S. educators interested in growing their teaching practice through Food Education. Upon program completion, Fellows graduate to our nationally-spanning Fellowship Alumni Network for continued learning and peer networking opportunities. Accepts new applicants every spring.
Designed exclusively for educators in schools that participate in the USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). Teachers learn how to transform classroom snack time into an exciting exploration of fresh fruits and vegetables. Created in partnership with DNO Produce FRESHEALTH.
Supports teachers in building a school-wide Food Education culture through partnership with their cafeteria/nutrition team. Currently operating in partnership with the NYC Department of Education.
An Illinois-statewide initiative that grows teacher leadership and student access to Food and Agriculture Education. This is a year-long opportunity for elementary school educators across the state of Illinois, designed in collaboration by the Food Integrated Education Alliance (FEIA).
“My understanding of how food affects my life has improved. I learned about how to grow different plants and eat them safely.”
7th grade Pilot Light Student
“Learning about graphs and unit rates helps me see patterns in what I eat. When I graph sugar or calories, I can actually see which foods have more or less. It makes it easier to understand how my choices affect my health.”
Middle School Pilot Light Student
“My favorite part of the school year has been cooking and trying different foods. It has been so fun and is something we did together as a class like a big family.”
3rd grade Pilot Light Student
“I think Food Education is very important. It teaches teens to eat healthy and make good choices. It made me realize I can grow my own food and have fun doing it too!”
High School Pilot Light Student
“Cooking and sharing food connects people from different cultures because you get to learn about each other’s traditions. When someone brings food from their culture, it’s like they’re sharing a part of their story.”
Middle School Pilot Light Student
“I was thrilled during the program [with] the increase in engagement in discussion and engagement in completing the academic tasks…The program did a great job of helping students make connections between content and their own life.”
Pilot Light Educator
“Food education is culture and literacy education.”
Pilot Light Educator
“I discovered Pilot Light late in my teaching career. It has added so much to my instruction that I want more teachers to discover the Food Education Standards as early as possible in their careers.”
Pilot Light Educator
“Pilot Light taught me the relevance of food education across all subject areas. My students’ engagement increased as they related and understood the Food Education Standards. We loved exploring, tasting, and cooking new food!”
Pilot Light Educator
“Pilot Light is a great organization that has helped a lot of us enhance our curriculum here with the Food Education component. For that, I will always be grateful. So thank you!”
Pilot Light Educator
“Students were inspired to take their learning outside the classroom and bring it back to their peers.”
Pilot Light Educator
“This experience has gone far beyond teaching students about food…I saw it build confidence. They were thinking critically, they were collaborating with each other, and they were communicating.”
Pilot Light Educator
Interested in bringing Food Education to your school or district? Our Food Education Professional Development Workshops are now available for schools anywhere in the US!
