A photo of what is included in the Food Exploration Project

The Food Exploration Project
A Free Program

Designed for schools, afterschool programs, libraries, and community organizations, this program brings together highlights from our current school-based programs in a progressive and developmental sequence.

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The Food Exploration Project

This twelve-session program for 1st through 6th-grade children brings together foundational food literacy lessons from our current school-based programs in a progressive and developmental sequence.

The Food Exploration Project is now available, at no charge, for every school across America!

Our 12 Sessions

Session One: Beginning Our Taste Adventure

In the first session of The Food Exploration Project, children will be introduced to the program and discuss what they already know and think about taste, food discoveries, and program-related topics.

Session Two: What’s Local and Seasonal?

In the Second session of The Food Exploration Project, children will discuss and explore the concept of local and seasonal eating through a read-aloud of the picture book, Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie.

Session Three: Bread Comes to Life

In this session, educators will discuss with children the different steps involved in making bread.

Session Four: What’s In My Drink? Food Labels & Sugar Survey

In the fourth session of The Food Exploration Project, children will learn about the difference between “natural” and “added” sugars, how to read a nutrition facts label, and how to calculate the added sugar content of popular sugar-sweetened beverages.

Session Five: Healthy Snacking

In this session, children will continue to analyze nutrition facts labels and learn about the importance of consuming healthy vs. “not so healthy” snacks.

Session Six: Food Advertising - Do You Buy It?

In this session, children will discuss the techniques employed by food advertisers and, using these techniques, create their own food advertisements for a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Session Seven: Spoons Salad Days

In this session, children will be introduced to various kitchen safety rules, sanitation, and proper knife skills.

Session Eight: Where Does it Grow? Parts of a Plant

In this session of The Food Exploration Project, children will continue to utilize their knife skills while learning about the various edible parts of a plant and preparing a healthy stir-fry.

Session Nine: Putting It All Together

Children will now put their practical cooking and food literacy skills to use as they make a smoothie using fresh fruits and vegetables.

Session Ten: Three Sister Tacos

Discussion for this lesson will center around sustainable farming and cultural food traditions, as children make their own Three Sisters-inspired taco using corn tortillas, black beans, and zucchini.

Session Eleven: Choose Your Own Recipe Adventure

Using a simple couscous as a base for different flavors and textures, children sample a variety of “add-ins” including dried fruits, fresh herbs, lemon, and cheese.

Session Twelve: Family Meals and Celebrations

In the final session of The Food Exploration Project, children will discuss their family dining habits, noticing similarities and differences between their classmates’ family traditions and habits.