Light on the Lake
A bright sunglade splashed across Lake Michigan and into Belmont Harbor for a few minutes this morning.
Pilot Light Introduces SnackTime Explorers Toolkit
While our efforts to build a better food system are progressing apace, I have long believed that the best way to accelerate these gains is to instill Good Food values in our youngest eaters. And the Chicago-based nonprofit Pilot Light has performed groundbreaking work toward that goal.
Created in 2010 by leading chefs Jason Hammel, Paul Kahan, Matthias Merges and Justin Large, Pilot Light first worked with Chicago Public Schools to integrate education about food into students’ curriculum, then established Food Education Standards that have been shared with school systems across the country.
They also have continued to innovate with entertaining and engaging content aimed at encouraging kids to enjoy eating healthy fruits and vegetables. So I am happy to share the following information provided by Pilot Light about its new SnackTime Explorers program, a collaboration with FRESHEALTH. Educators should refer to the final paragraph to learn how they can participate in the program.
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2023 is off to an exciting start with the launch of SnackTime Explorers!
On January 11, students and educators across Chicago Public Schools will be transformed into the first ever SnackTime Explorers through a brand-new exciting collaboration between Pilot Light and FRESHEALTH.
SnackTime Explorers is an educational toolkit designed to supplement the USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). FFVP is an in-classroom program that helps provide schools nationwide with a variety of fresh cut produce snacks. Pilot Light and FRESHEALTH have teamed up to supplement the FFVP and support educators who participate in the program.
SnackTime Explorers has been strategically designed with the following goals in mind:
Offering educators an accessible framework to utilize FFVP effectively in their classrooms.
Inspiring students to be curious and enthusiastic about trying new fruits and veggies through a multisensory learning experience.
Utilizing the Food Education Standards to promote food education and an equitable food system future for everyone.
Visit our new SnackTime Explorers information page to download a sample lesson from the program and sign up if you’re interested in bringing SnackTime Explorers to your CPS classroom!
Grain Farmers: Apply for Midwest GRIT Intensive
For decades, most of the grain grown in the Upper Midwest has been conventionally produced corn and soybeans, destined not for people’s plates but rather for cows (animal feed) and cars (ethanol).
The good news is that over the past decade or so, sustainable producers such as Harold Wilken of Janie’s Farm/Janie’s Mill, Brian Severson of Brian Severson Farms and Andrea Hazzard of Hazzard Free Farm have established a market beachhead for high-quality, artisan grains and flours. This in turn has spawned regional organizations such as the Artisan Grain Collaborative — and grain-specific training programs for farmers, such as Midwest GRIT.
A program of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, Midwest GRIT (Grains Resource & Immersive Training) focuses on strengthening diverse small and mid-size Midwest food-grade grain farmers. And the organization is recruiting its 2023 cohort of 30 growers who will participate in a year-long live and virtual intensive.
Applications must be submitted by March 3. The details from Midwest GRIT are below.
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Warm Winter Greetings!
Midwest GRIT is Seeking Farmers for its 2023 Cohort!
Join fellow agricultural entrepreneurs in the Upper Midwest in a paid peer-to-peer learning experience beginning April 2023!
Midwest GRIT farmers will support each other to gain new knowledge of organic food-grade grain production and marketing, while also developing and/or strengthening mentoring skills that will benefit their communities beyond the length and scope of this program and each individual cohort. Educational programming will provide tools, hands-on education, and networking opportunities to establish or expand on each participants’ existing agricultural enterprises and experience.
Application period is open through March 3, 2023. Further program details and benefits can be found online at www.midwestgrit.org/apply. Learn more at our GRIT program informational webinars on Thursday, January 19, 2-3p CT or Thursday, February 16, 6-7p CT (click date to register).
All farmers are encouraged to apply, and one third of the cohort is reserved for farmers that identify as women. Preference is given to women, BIPOC, and currently farming applicants in IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, and WI.
Cheers to dynamic new year & growing season,
Christine Johnson
Program Manager
Midwest GRIT
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute