What students learn about food today determines how they live tomorrow. Discover our latest Impact Report recapping the 2024-25 school year today! Here, you’ll find the latest stats, stories, and takeaways from the hundreds of Pilot Light classrooms across the country. We’re so excited to share the impact of your support with you, our community. Thank you for believing in our mission to make FOOD EDUCATION FOR ALL a reality!
#foodeducation #nonprofits #impactreport #foodeducationforall #pilotlightchefs
This summer, we gained a lot of new followers, so we thought we'd re-introduce ourselves!
Hi there! 👋We're Pilot Light, a Chicago chef-founded nonprofit that partners with educators to bring hands-on Food Education to students nationwide.
🍽️ Our unique Food Education model weaves food topics into subjects like math, science, and social studies (and more). By making food informative and fun, students from preschool to 12th grade engage with food through a variety of lenses, connecting food and cooking to all areas of life.
🌱 At Pilot Light, we believe that comprehensive Food Education empowers students to become informed food system leaders of the future.
Learn more about Pilot Light and start using our FREE Food Education resources on our website today ➡️
#foodeducation #nonprofits #chicagononprofits #education #educationnonprofits #nutritioneducation #foodeducationforkids
We are absolutely honored to be featured in this @civileats article about the importance of Food Education and food literacy - and what’s at risk in the wake of recent cuts to SNAP-Ed.
Thank you to Hannah Wallace @hannahmw23 for your reporting on this important topic and to our Advisory Board and Fellowship alum Rita Leary for sharing your experience with Pilot Light in the classroom! We couldn’t do this work without the wisdom and leadership of the educators we work with - thank you, Civil Eats, for shedding light on this issue!
Find the full article - 🔗 in the usual place!
#foodeducation #pilotlightchefs
Pilot Light Fellowship Alumni Network Manager Tamieka @spicesandspraypaint takes the TRY IT CHALLENGE with: SWEET GRITS! 🥣
NEXT UP: @leahgordon34@chicagobearshistory@jasonhammel 👀 Join the challenge by trying something you don’t like/haven’t tried before, record your honest reaction, and post your video tagging 3 other friends to take the challenge with you!
JOIN THE CHALLENGE:
😋 Pick Your Food: Do you hate mushrooms? Get the ick from okra? Grossed out by tofu? Maybe you just need to TRY IT!
Pro Tip: Ask a friend or family member to prepare their favorite version of the food you pick to make the sampling even more fun OR visit a local restaurant with your “Try It” item on the menu and order it from a professional!
😋 Record Your Reaction: Make a video (short or long, whatever fits your style) recording your honest reaction to trying the food you picked. You don’t have to like it, but try to keep an open mind while you TRY IT – you might be surprised!
😋 Share Your Video: Don’t forget to tag us @pilotlightchefs AND be sure to tag at least 3 friends to take the challenge next!
Bonus: Visit our website and download the digital “I Tried It!” Sticker to add to your video!
The TRY IT CHALLENGE is all about having fun, trying new things, and raising awareness for Pilot Light’s mission to bring hands-on Food Education into classrooms across the country. Learn more and get involved at 💚
#foodies #foodeducation #tryingnewfoods #challenge
⭐ Today's Fellow Friday spotlight is on: Ms. Secka!
🌱 Ms. Secka is a member of the first "Feeding Futures" 2-year teaching cohort, a group of educators dedicated to bringing food and agriculture education to students across the state of Illinois. Currently, the Feeding Futures fellows are working on designing a new curriculum grounded in Pilot Light's Food Education Standards that will offer students a comprehensive understanding of food, agriculture, and career pathways in these fields.
📣More About Ms. Secka:
Ms. Secka has over 13 years' experience as a Diverse Learner Teacher and is currently working at Perkins Bass Elementary as a Middle School DL Teacher. She was introduced to the Pilot Light Fellowship by colleagues who participated in Pilot Light in previous years. She is excited about being able to integrate Food Education into their existing curriculum while providing students with engaging learning experiences that will enhance the quality of their lives. Ms. Secka was born in Gambia, West Africa and raised in Chicago. She is a product of the Chicago Public School System. She received her Bachelors in Secondary Social Studies Education and her Masters in Cross Categorical Special Education from The University of Missouri. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and traveling.
📣 Outstanding Results:
Ms. Secka saw her students grow exponentially in their learning and understanding of food during her time as a Pilot Light educator. She shared with us that:
"By the end of the lessons, students demonstrated a clear shift in understanding and language...They could say things like, “This food is imported, so its food miles are higher, which increases emissions,” or “If we reduce the percent of food waste, the food system equation stays balanced and is better for the environment.” Students also justified their math using real-world meaning, explaining why a ratio, percent, or scale factor mattered."
👏Thanks for all you bring to Pilot Light and your students, Ms. Secka!
Are we doing this right? 🫣
We have Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X, and Baby Boomer educators in our Food Education community...will you be next? Discover more about The Food Education Fellowship, a special professional development opportunity for US educators, on our website: 💚
Looking for ideas for adding food to your science lessons? Look no further! Pilot Light Educator Ryan Johnson has just published a blog packed with ideas for food-based science activities, including suggested standards alignment. Get the scoop now on our website: /feeding-minds-blog/
#foodeducation #sciencelessons #ngssscience #teachingscience #lessonideasforteachers
🌱 Deadline Extended! 🌱Don't forget to SHARE with Illinois educators in your network! Ready to grow your teaching practice? Illinois educators can now apply to join the next FEEDING FUTURES teaching cohort, presented by Pilot Light and the Food Integrated Education Alliance.
This is a 2-year paid professional development opportunity for 3rd-5th grade teachers in Illinois. Learn more and apply today at /homepage/what-we-do-programs/feeding-futures/!
#teachingopportunity #illinoisteachers #feedingfutures #foodeducation
Happy National Foodies Day to the Pilot Light community! Whether you're a foodie-in-training in our classrooms or a James Beard Award-winning Feed Your Mind Gala Chef, we hope you're enjoying some delicious, nourishing food today and everyday!
Our appreciation for teachers is evergreen 💚
To say "thanks," we've put together NEW, easy-to-use classroom materials featuring Puprika the Puppy Chef 🐾 that your students will love! Check them out on our online Food Education Center at foodedu.pilotlightchefs.org!
#freelessons #freeclassroomdownload #foodeducation #teacherappreciation
Pilot Light is proud to be:
⭐ Standards based
⭐ Educator led
⭐ Student driven
100% of the time. You can support the teachers who make Food Education possible for their students by making a tax-deductible gift to Pilot Light this Teacher Appreciation Week! Comment "THANKS" and we'll send you the link to make a secure online donation 💚 Thank you for believing in our mission!
#foodeducation #teacherappreciation #teacherappreciationweek #nonprofits #education
One of our biggest joys at Pilot Light is creating spaces where educators from all across the country can come together, support, and uplift one another's Food Education work. You can be a part of the next cohort of Pilot Light educators by applying to join the 2026-27 Food Education Fellowship -- applications are open now through May 25. Learn more and apply today at 🤗
#foodeducation #teacherappreciationweek #teachersupport #teacherquotes #professionaldevelopment
