Our Mission Statement
Spoons Across America,® the recipe for healthier children, is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating children, teachers, and families about the benefits of healthy eating. We work to influence the eating habits of children through hands-on education that celebrates the connection to local farmers and the important tradition of sharing meals around the family table.
We believe that all children have the right to access nutritious food and learn about healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. With your support, we can make a difference and empower the next generation of healthy eaters.
THE CHALLENGE
Food education for children should be a fundamental right, and yet lack of access, has resulted in the health, equity and economic disparities that many kids, families and communities face today:
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1 in 5 children in the U.S. are overweight or obese, with obesity being the #1 illness in the U.S.
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28% of children in the U.S. are prediabetic, and the rate of diet-related illnesses in the U.S. is at an all time high.
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Lower-income communities are often disproportionately impacted. Many are based in food deserts, where children frequently rely on fast food and convenience stores for meals. This leads to even higher rates of diet-related diseases: 34% of children from lower-income households are obese vs. 19% from higher-income households.
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Schools in low-income areas often depend on frozen and processed foods, leaving their meals less nutritious than those in higher-income districts where fresh and local options are more common.
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This lack of access to nutritious food plays a role in widening the educational achievement gap between low-income students and their more affluent peers.
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Poor nutrition in childhood can perpetuate cycles of poverty via health challenges, lower educational attainment, and reduced earning potential as adults.
Our Solution
The #1 way to improve health and reduce illness in the U.S. is Nutrition Education & Healthy Eating. In 2018, a Cornell University study showed that children who have had hands-on opportunity to explore and prepare new and nutritious foods, are more likely to eat in a healthy way.
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Through our food education program, Spoons Across America plays a critical role in addressing limited access to healthy food by empowering families, shifting behaviors and building long-term resilience. This is achieved through:
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Nutritional Literacy: Children and parents learn what makes a meal healthy, how to read labels, and the importance of balanced nutrition. Increased awareness of the long-term impacts of processed foods and sugary drinks on health also empowers children and families to make healthier choices.
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Behavioral Shifts: Repeated exposure to healthy foods in educational settings (taste tests, cooking demos, etc.) can shift preferences and normalize healthy eating. Children who participate in these programs often influence family eating habits at home- especially when parents are invited to participate.
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Cooking and Meal Prep: Engaging children in the food creation process equips children with skills to prepare nutritious meals affordably and helps reduce dependency on fast food or ultra-processed meals.
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Shopping Smart: Children in our programs share the knowledge that they have learned about how to make nutritious meals using few ingredients with their parents, which helps families learn how to stretch meals and shop wisely.
How It Works
At Spoons Across America, we believe the best approach to good nutrition is to encourage children to lift their spoons, excite their senses, and taste new and healthier foods. That is why we offer our free program to schools, after-school programs, libraries, and community organizations across the US.
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Our program comes in a kit that is shipped to schools and includes:
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A 12-session program for Pre-K through 6th-grade that brings together foundational food and nutrition literacy lessons in a progressive and developmental sequence.
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All kitchen, cooking, tasting, and serving equipment.
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Recipes and taste tests that use a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and that are adaptable to what is locally and seasonally available in their community. ​​
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In-class and homework assignments that initiate family meals, encourage family participation, and enrich the family eating experience.