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.
October 25, 2024
By lilystark
Teachers take action for Food Education in Action Week!
Pilot Light hosts the first Food Education in Action Week, promoting awareness and investment in Food Education initiatives coast-to-coast Food Education teachers are taking action in classrooms everyday. After over 13 years of working in the Food Education space, we at Pilot Light understand the dedication it takes to bring these hands-on, vitally important experiences
Read More >>September 12, 2024
By lilystark
2024-25 Food Education Fellowship Launched at Pilot Light
The 2024-25 Food Education Fellowship has officially begun! We at Pilot Light are excited to announce that 26 educators have joined our 6th annual Fellowship. This year-long professional development and peer learning opportunity is our cornerstone program, and we cannot wait to see how this year’s cohort of Fellows develops Food Education leadership in their school
Read More >>September 5, 2024
By lilystark
SnackTime Explorers welcomes 14 adventurous Lead Teachers in 2024-25!
FFVP Explorations Start this Month! As students across the country sharpen their pencils and shine their shoes in preparation for the new school year, their teachers are hard at work readying their classroom for another year of learning. At Pilot Light, we are fortunate enough to work closely with teachers who are looking to bring
Read More >>August 16, 2024
By lilystark
Agriculture Education lessons are now available!
Agriculture Education Lessons Disseminated to Educators in Daylong Pilot Light Symposium All photos by Shabari Bailey for Pilot Light. Pilot Light’s new Agriculture Education lessons are now available on our online lesson plan library following the culmination of a two-year research grant from the USDA’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture’s Food and Service Learning
Read More >>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
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