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Food Literacy Blog

Overview

Food Literacy Blog

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Graphic of the fundraiser total

Thank You. We Reached our Food Literacy Month Goal
Your generosity is helping to grow the next generation of healthy eaters!

We are thrilled to announce that, thanks to you, we’ve surpassed our fundraising goal for Food Literacy Month. Together we raised $85,084.92 with $35K in matching gifts from our sponsors!

Food Literacy Month kicked off with our beloved Veggie of the Year competition, where five notable local chefs were randomly assigned a vegetable and tasked with creating a mouthwatering dish that could impress the toughest judges of all—our Food Literacy Center students. This year, our amazing chefs and their veggies were:

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Graphic of chefs with their assigned vegetable

2024 Veggie of the Year Competition
Vote with your dollars and help our kids!

September is Food Literacy Month and we are celebrating by raising awareness and funds to empower kids to make healthy choices! We are joined by an incredible line-up of Food Literati Leaders and sponsors that are fundraising in September. See our Food Literacy Month campaign update HERE

Follow the links for each team below to contribute to their fundraising campaign. 

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Veggie Recipe Kit

Food Adventure Meal Kit

In 2020, our pandemic pivot replaced our in-person cooking classes with take-home STEM recipe kits.

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Group Photo of  Chefs

Veggie of the Year

School lunch wins Veggie of the Year for a third time in row! 

To celebrate Food Literacy Month in California we raise statewide awareness about the need for cooking and nutrition education for kids. 

Food Literacy Month is kicked off by our annual Veggie of the Year competition, in which 5 notable local chefs create a tasty, veggie-forward bite featuring their assigned veggie. This year our participating chefs and assigned veggies were:

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Graphic of ten veggie contenders

Vote for your Favorite Veggie
Voting poll closes 8/29 at 12pm PT

Lettuce kick off Food Literacy Month by voting for your favorite vegetable! Your vote will narrow down our veggie contenders to just 5 finalists and determine what veggies will be in the running for our Veggie of the Year competition September 25! 

Cast your vote now! Polls will close August 29 at 12pm PT.

You can no longer particpate in this poll, because this poll is closed.
Answer%
Brussel Sprouts15.5%
Cauliflower10.3%
Collard Greens7.2%
Cucumber6.2%
Mushroom14.4%
Poblano Pepper11.3%
Potato13.4%
Squash9.3%
Tomatillo8.2%
Turnip4.1%
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Plant Parts Cafe by Food Literacy Center
CBS News

This summer, Food Literacy Center is inviting the Sacramento community to its “Plant Parts Café” on the first Fridays in June, July, and August!

The event will highlight fresh, seasonal produce and serve prepared sandwiches, salad, and even mocktails! Dina Kupfer of CBS news is taking a tour of their new kitchen space where all the healthy foods being prepped for the cafe is being made!

Watch video HERE!

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Kids Summer Farmers Market

Last week, we celery-brated the completion of our 10-weeks of cooking and nutrition classes with a fennel-fun Kids Summer Farmers Market.

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Oak Park Farmers Market logo

The Oak Park Farmer’s Market is Back

Grape News! The Oak Park Farmers Market is returning Saturday, June 10th 9 am to 1 pm at McClatchy Park. 

The Oak Park Farmers Market was formed in 2010 to fill a need in one of Sacramento’s food deserts. A community survey conducted at the time revealed that residents couldn’t easily access fresh, healthy produce. In response, the Oak Park Farmers Market was created. 

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Food Literacy Center and ABC10 staff group photo behind  check.

ABC10 Honors Four Local Awards Food Literacy Center for the 2023 TEGNA Foundation Grant Program

ABC10’s parent company TEGNA recently announced the recipients of
four 2023 TEGNA Foundation Community Grant awardees in the Greater Sacramento region. 

We are tomatillo thrilled to have been selected as one of the recipients of the 2023 TEGNA Foundation Community Grant. This award will allow us to continue to positively impact students in Title-1 schools across North and South Sacramento.

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Plant Parts Cafe

Plant Parts Cafe pops up each first Friday throughout the summer, serving fresh, seasonal veggie-forward snacks, sandwiches, soup, salad, and mocktails. During cafe hours, guests can also wander our future farm space, play Cornhole or other games, or enjoy other activities with kids. Guests can also show support for food literacy education by shopping our curated selection of proprietary veggie-forward spices, limited edition swag, and other goodies.

Each first Friday now through August from 4:30 PM — 7:00 PM
Friday, June 2 | Friday, July 7 | Friday, August 4

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First Partner Visits Food Literacy Center

California’s First Partner Visits Food Literacy Center

Last week, California’s First Partner, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, visited Food Literacy Center. She toured the center’s new cooking classroom, commercial kitchen, urban farm and student gardens.

The visit commemorated being one of the inaugural grantees, in partnership with Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD), of the first-ever Farm to School grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

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Students feeding sheep

Farm Animals Latest Addition to Urban Farm

This week, we welcomed 3 sheep and 3 goats to the farm! They’ll be staying with us for a few months to help reduce weeds, help us better understand how to care for animals long-term on the farm, and to give the students in our gardening classes a chance to feed them, pet them, and interact with them.

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Why Our Program Works

Food Literacy Center is one of the most in-demand afterschool programs in Sacramento City Unified School District. What’s the secret to our success? Here’s a quick highlight of several standout reasons our program works. 

Your donations support this important program, reaching kids at highest risk for diet-related diseases, to address both their nutritional health and mental wellness. 

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Student chef coats and aprons

Fall Cooking and Garden Lessons Start in our New Center

Our brand new center welcomed its first class of Leataata Floyd Elementary students for fall! They’ll each receive 10-weeks of hands-on cooking and gardening lessons during their school day. 

For the first cooking lesson, we kicked off with a tried-and-true recipe, a Seasonal Sunbutter and Fruit Sandwich. In the students’ first week, they learned to swap the fruit jelly for fresh fruit — a big broccoli step towards healthy eating! In the garden, they learned how food is grown and engaged in active play. 

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Thank you for never giving up on this vision
CEO and Chief Food Genius gives speech about new facility

Ribbon Cutting Speech

Welcome to Food Literacy Center! And welcome to the Rhubarb Revolution! 

I hope this is your first time coming to a building where vegetables and kids are the focus! I also hope it’s not your last time. 

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Chef Yolanda bite description

And the winner is… Team RADISH!
Food Literacy Month has come to a close and our Veggie of the Year Contest has been decided… by a landslide!

Team Radish, led by Chef Yolanda Marculescu of The Central Kitchen at SCUSD Nutrition Services, is this year’s Veggie of the Year winner! Chef Yolanda impressed the most discerning of judges – the kids at Pacific Elementary School!

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Literati Teams

Food Literati Fundraising Teams 2022
Vote with your dollars and help our kids!

September is Food Literacy Month and we are celebrating by raising awareness and funds to empower kids to make healthy choices! We are joined by an incredible line-up of Food Literati Leaders and sponsors that are fundraising in September. 

Follow the links for each team below to contribute to their fundraising campaign. 

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Graphic of veggies

2022 Veggie of the Year Contenders
Cast before September 2nd!

Be part of our celebration by casting your vote for your favorite vegetable.

Your vote will narrow down our veggie contenders to just 5 finalists.

You can no longer particpate in this poll, because this poll is closed.
Answer%
Cauliflower28.6%
Collard Greens14.3%
Basil0.0%
Eggplant7.1%
Kale7.1%
Radish7.1%
Squash0.0%
Mushroom21.4%
Avocado14.3%
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You’re invited! Our Cooking School is Opening September 1st!

Celery-brate the village who made it possible, purchase your tickets, and join us in this important milestone! 

We are over the mushroom moon with what our cooking school will provide for our students. This fall, Leataata Floyd Elementary students will expand their learning by transitioning from afterschool food literacy programs to classes during the school day that will enhance the school curriculum. 

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Intern during class

We wrapped up our final food literacy class of the 2021-2022 school year! 

Food Literacy Center remains committed to reaching more students, and this year we did just that!

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Kids farmers market display

Kids Spring Farmers Market

Our Kids Spring Farmers Market was filled with joy and fresh produce from our local farms!

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Kids planting

Expanding Our Hands-on Education

At Food Literacy Center, we are creating a supportive environment to ensure our students’ success in and out of the classroom!

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Kid graphic holding broccoli

Make early Big Day of Giving gifts today!

Our GOAL for #BDOG2022 is to raise $45,000 in 24 hours! This funds 241 kids for one session of cooking and nutrition classes. Please make our kids’ health a priority. 

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Students eating carrots

We Served Two New Schools at Robla School District

Our second 8-week session of the year came to an end last week and it was a succulent success! We are plum proud to be serving two new schools in our new school district Robla, where we inspire new students to eat their fruits and vegetables. As we concluded our Spring session, we learned that 82% of our students know to eat fruits and vegetables with every snack and meal. 

Recipe Food Literacy Center

Shor Nakhod

Florence Amin-Popalza, a local Afghan caterer, shared this delicious recipe with Food Literacy Center. The cilantro-based sauce is a zesty and unique feature of the traditional Afghan dish, which tops a chickpea and potato mix. Food adventurers can enjoy a mild or spicy version by adding an optional chili pepper to the sauce!

Recipe Food Literacy Center

Masto Khyar

This recipe is an Afghan staple, introduced to Food Literacy Center by local Afghan caterer, Florence Amin-Popalza. Cucumbers, garlic, and dill are highlighted in this refreshing recipe, which can be eaten on its own or used as a dip! It’s a perfect dish to make during spring and early summer when cucumbers are ripe and in-season.

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students and food literacy staff in school garden with blue skies learning lessons

New Garden Classes at Food Literacy Center

Jicama, jicama, hooray! We taught our very first garden class! 

Our new Garden Educator put all their hard work planning and prepping into play with a special introductory lesson to gardening and growing your own food. 

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Staff holding resolution

Mayor & City Council Honor 10 Year Anniversary

Food Literacy Center is honored to receive a resolution from Mayor Steinberg and Sacramento City Council recognizing our 10 year anniversary. Since 2011, we have been inspiring kids to eat their vegetables.

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Thank you banner

Thank you for supporting our students!

A celery shout to everyone who donated on Giving Tuesday. Our community came together for 24 hours and provided funds for a total of 103 students! Your generosity mirrors our mission of inspiring kids to eat their veggies. We couldn’t have done it without your su-pear support! 

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Group photo in front of cooking school

Key Ceremony 2021
held by the Sacramento City Unified School District

It’s official! After more than six years of hard work, Food Literacy Center has a new home! On November 3rd we formally received the keys to this 4,500 square foot facility at a brief Key Ceremony held by the Sacramento City Unified School District to commemorate the milestone. 

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Chef David Edgar

Veggie of the Year Chef Recipe
Bok Choy Dumplings by Executive Chef David Edgar

David Edgar, Executive Chef: SCUSD, Central Kitchen

Bok Choy Dumpling Recipe

During Food Literacy Month, local chefs developed recipes to highlight the five veggie contenders! We’re sharing our Veggie of the Year Champion’s scrumptious Bok Choy dumpling recipe! His delicious creation won the votes of our students and we are hap-pea for you to try it with your kids at home!

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Group of kids holding thank you sign

Veggie of the Year 2021
Veggie winners during Food Literacy Month

We are overwhelmed by your support during Food Literacy Month! We exceeded our goal raising $37,008 to help fund 250 students with a FREE semester of cooking and nutrition classes. Since schools opened this September, we have returned to school with our STEM curriculum and continue to share joy and provide healthy meals to our kids! Thank you for helping us exceed our fundraising goal and putting our kids health and nutrition first! THANK YOU!

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Veggie of the Year

Food Literati Fundraising Teams 2021
Vote with your dollars and help kids!

September is Food Literacy Month and we are celebrating by raising awareness and funds to empower kids to make healthy choices! We are joined by an incredible line-up of Food Literati Leaders and sponsors that are fundraising in September. 

Follow the links for each team below to contribute to their fundraising campaign. 

Press release
Kid with broccoli

Food Literacy Center Continues with Veggie Education to Families Throughout the Summer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release

Sacramento, Calif. – (August 26, 2021) – As the pandemic continues to cause unprecedented levels of food insecurity in Sacramento, the nonprofit Food Literacy Center has partnered with local businesses to continue to distribute veggie recipe kits with educational activities to Sacramento-area kids and families. Whole Foods Market provided funds to help the nonprofit maintain these critical programs through summer. 

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STEM Recipe Kit Distribution

Whole Foods Market
STEM Recipe Kit Distribution

 We’d like to thank Whole Foods Market for sponsoring the distribution of Food Literacy Center’s Veggie Recipe Kits this summer! With their help, we’ve distributed 420 free kits at 6 schools we serve in South Sacramento with fresh produce and healthy ingredients to make a meal for four. That’s 2,374 pounds of fresh produce! Our students are able to cook healthy meals at home with their families using the skills they learned in food literacy class. 

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veggie of the year banner

2021 Veggie of the Year Contenders
Cast Your Vote for Veggie of the Year Competitors

Our kid-favorite event, Veggie of the Year, is back! During Food Literacy Month, our kids will try each veggie provided and vote for their top 5 vegetables.

Local chefs will be competing for the ultimate veggie crown. Your vote will determine who will take the crown once again. 

Our polls are open! Vote for your favorite vegetable contender! 

You can no longer particpate in this poll, because this poll is closed.
Answer%
Avocado30.6%
Basil4.2%
Bok Choy12.5%
Cauliflower5.6%
Collard Greens0.0%
Eggplant11.1%
Mushroom9.7%
Radish6.9%
Squash2.8%
Tomato16.7%
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Amber Stott

10 years!
A Note from the CEO & Chief Food Genius

10 years! Food Literacy Center has officially been inspiring kids to eat their vegetables for a decade. I’m so proud to celebrate what we have accomplished for children in our community. 

I started this work in 2011, during the Great Recession. I believe that change is possible–and our work proves it. 

In 10 years, we have served 11,909 children! We have trained 125 Food Geniuses. What started in one school will expand to our second school district this fall. 

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syrai

Syrai’s Story
A 10 Year Reunion

When Syrai was in 5th grade in 2011, she had her first persimmon. She loved it! 

This was also the year that I started Food Literacy Center. Syrai was attending Capitol Heights Academy elementary school in Oak Park. Syrai was among the first students to participate, and I was their instructor.

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Kids Spring Farmers Market

Kids Spring Farmers Market
Students set up to practice food literacy at home.

It was watermelon wonderful to see our students at our Kids Spring Farmers Market on May 26th! 600 pounds of fresh fruits and veggies from local farms went home with 240 kids and family members at Woodbine Elementary School. Special thanks to Nugget Markets for their support. 

Press release
Kids Spring Farmers Market

Food Literacy Center Hosts 8th Annual Kids Spring Farmers Market
In partnership with Nugget Markets, students can take a home a 10-pound box of assorted fruits and vegetables

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sacramento, Calif. – May 20, 2021 – The Food Literacy Center’s annual Kids Spring Famers Market will be held on Wednesday, May 26 at Woodbine Elementary in Sacramento, California. In partnership with Nugget Markets, Food Literacy Center will offer students the chance to take home an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables. 

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A Big Day THANK YOU!
$36,086 raised on Big Day of Giving

Through your generous donations yesterday, you helped us raise $36,086 to support students facing food and nutrition insecurity. Your gifts speak to the priorities of our community. Thank you for putting our kids’ health at the top of your list.

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Big Day of Giving graphic

Our Kids Need YOU!
on Big Day of Giving

Did you know that rates of hunger increased more this year than any year since the government began tracking poverty? For households with children, food insecurity tripled!  

Our students and their families need Food Literacy Center, and we need YOU. On Big Day of Giving, please donate. It truly helps.

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Employees in carrot costumes distributing recipe kits

Students Returning to School

Throughout the pandemic, we have been at schools supporting our kids and their families through recipe kit distribution. Students have started returning to school and it has been grape to see them! We are working with our afterschool and principal partners to bring food literacy classes back on line as each school is ready. Until then we’ll keep hosting virtual classes and weekly recipe demos. 

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Stone Fruit Salad

Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

This simple vinaigrette recipe is a perfect dressing for our Stone Fruit & Tomato Salad or Asparagus Pasta Salad

Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

Yield: 3/4 cup salad dressing

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BCLC Crisis Mothers 2019

Training Mothers who Respond to Community Crisis
Black Child Legacy Campaign Classes

In 2019 we started a food literacy training series with the Black Child Legacy Campaign (BCLC) Crisis Mothers. When a crisis arises in their community, these moms show up with support, food, and so much more. Healthy, nourishing food is especially important in times of stress, and these moms wanted to learn how to cook healthier dishes. During the COVID crisis in 2020 we partnered on weekly produce distributions to their community members.

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Food Anatomy Activities for Kids book cover

Book: Food Anatomy Activities for Kids
Donate and receive a book signed by the author.

Let’s become food scientists & explorers!

Our founder, Amber Stott wrote a book! Food Anatomy Activities for Kids is like traveling with a passport through the history of food: we explore fruits, veggies, nuts, and grains–the foods early gatherers would have eaten. In every chapter, kids take their learning into the kitchen to create experiments you can eat! 

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Bolani

Bolani

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Girl juicing an orange

Race, Equity, Inclusion, and Our Kids
Letter from Founding Executive Director, Amber Stott

Our children are being asked to endure too much trauma. It’s our responsibility to do something about it. At Food Literacy Center, 96% of children we serve are Brown and Black. 10% are Asian American and Pacific Islander. 

In response to rising incidents of racism and the murder of Asian American women in Atlanta last week, it is increasingly important to educate our community about the intersections of health and nutrition with race, equity, social justice, women’s rights, and so much more. 

I know these issues matter to you, too. 

Press release
#NextGenTALKS​: Mental Health + Food Insecurity

#NextGenTALKS​: Mental Health + Food Insecurity
Next Gen Policy

NextGenTALKS series presents “Intersectionality between Mental Health and Food Insecurity”. A conversation featuring NextGen Policy Advisor for food insecurity issues, Tiffany Germain, NextGen Policy Advisor for mental health, Courtnie Thomas, and Food Literacy Center Founder, CEO & Chief Food Genius, Amber Stott

Press release
Raising Kale Podcast graphic

Food Literacy Center Launches Raising Kale Podcast, Seeking to Educate Listeners on the Impact of Food for Health, Economy, Environment and Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sacramento, CA – March 10, 2021 – Food Literacy Center announced today the launch of the Raising Kale podcast in partnership with Entercom Communications. Raising Kale will be available nationwide via the RADIO.COM app and website, and everywhere else podcasts can be found beginning March 10.

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Food Anatomy Activities for Kids book cover

Food Anatomy Activities for Kids – Book Release
By Amber Stott

My debut book is here! Let’s become food scientists & explorers!

Kids (and let’s admit, adults, too!) are going to love learning with this book. It’s like traveling with a passport through the history of food: I explore fruits, veggies, nuts, and grains–the foods early gatherers would have eaten. In every chapter, kids take their learning into the kitchen! 

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Mushroom larb

Mushroom Larb (Laab)

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Pickled veggies

Homemade Pickled Vegetables

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Avocado Fresco Bowl

Healthy Eating on Franklin Blvd Map

The Healthy Eating on Franklin Blvd pilot project aims to improve residents’ health in Franklin Blvd District by educating restaurant owners and community members and training them to advocate for healthy food in their community.

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Raising Kale Podcast
Coming March 10th

We have all personally experienced a fractured food system during the COVID pandemic: empty grocery store shelves, rising hunger, and political protests for Black Lives Matter. All of these issues are connected to the work that Food Literacy Center does. But these aren’t easy issues.

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Tzatziki Sauce and veggies

Tzatziki Sauce

Press release
Girl cutting celery

Food Literacy Center Awarded Grants to Continue Food & Nutrition Education of Underserved Youth in Sacramento Region

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Sacramento, CA] February, 2, 2021 – Over the course of the pandemic, Food Literacy Center was honored to receive grant funding from Bank of America, Safeway, Dignity Health, The California Endowment, No Kid Hungry, Sutter Health, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), Blue Diamond, and UC Davis Health. Since 2011, Food Literacy Center has committed to making a difference in the Sacramento community through food literacy education. 

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Southwest popcorn

Southwest Popcorn

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Vegetable broth

Homemade Vegetable Broth

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Hap-PEA New Year

Hap-PEA New Year!

Despite the challenges of 2020, we made sure the needs of our students and families were met! We started the year in the classroom with our kids. When schools closed, we quickly produced our STEM-based for distance learning. We also started recipe kit distribution for our kids to cook a healthy meal at home with their families. Lettuce celebrate the good work accomplished!

Thank you for helping us make this possible!

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Black Bean Puree Tacos

Black Bean Puree

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Girl juicing citrus

Plum pleased. Tickled pink potatoes. Grape-ful! 

In a difficult year, Food Literacy Center cannot thank you enough! Our kids count on us, and we have been able to count on you. We are weathering this crisis together. 

Your generosity has enabled us to: 

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#GivingTuesday 2020
Give Kids a Healthier Future Today

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving and a philanthropic response to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s a day to open your heart and generously support nonprofits like Food Literacy Center! 

Donate on December 1st & Double Your Gift

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Bank of America Grant Announcement

Bank of America Grant Announcement
Founder Surprised on Studio40 LIVE

This year is full of surprises–and this time, we have happy news to share. We have been selected as a Neighborhood Builder by Bank of America! This prestigious award couldn’t come at a better time. In a difficult year when our donors from hard-hit industries like restaurants were unable to continue their funding, this award will help cover that gap. 

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Brussels Sprout & Pear Salad

Recipe Round Up for the Holidays

Looking for a new recipe this holiday season? We’ve rounded up our favorite fall and winter dishes featuring the best farmers market produce available right now. The recipes below have video tutorials so you can follow along. Our recipes are written for kids to make, so get your family together and let’s get cooking!

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Pumpkins

Pumpkin Pasta Sauce

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Kid with recipe ingredients

Give Our Kids a Healthier Future
Become a sustaining monthly donor today.

Our community is in a crisis. Rates of food and nutrition insecurity are rising. At Food Literacy Center, we combine immediate food assistance with resilience skill-building, and we haven’t let the crisis stop us. We’re distributing Veggie STEM Boxes that include healthy recipe ingredients for 4 that students can cook at home with our STEM-based curriculum. 

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Roasted Broccoli

Roasted Broccoli

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Mushroom sushi

Veggie of the Year Chef Recipes

During Food Literacy Month local chefs developed recipes to highlight the five veggie contenders! We’re sharing their delicious creations so you can make them with your kids at home.

Chef Rick MahanBaked Broccoli Gratin
Rick Mahan, Executive Chef/Owner, OneSpeed Pizza & The Waterboy

Broccoli is the official Veggie of the Year chosen by our kids! 

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Avocado Fresco Bowl

A Delicious New Program & Call to Action
Healthy Eating on Franklin Blvd

We work hard to inspire kids to eat their vegetables. But what happens when kids aren’t with Food Literacy Center? Is healthy food available in their neighborhoods? 

We’ve teamed up with high school students and business owners for a pilot project in the Franklin Boulevard neighborhood to address this concern. We’re partnering with La Familia Counseling Center and Franklin Boulevard Business District with funding provided by Dignity Health.

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Stuffed bell pepper

Caribbean Stuffed Pepper

Press release
Kids cooking

That PSA Show
I Heart Radio

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Seasonal Fruit Salad

Seasonal Fruit Salad

Recipe Food Literacy Center

Shishito Pepper Spicy Snack

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Kid with thank you sign

Veggie of the Year 2020
Veggie winners during Food Literacy Month

We are overwhelmed by your support during Food Literacy Month! We exceeded our goal raising $31,877 to provide 1,275 Veggie Recipe Kits to our kids. We’ll continue to distribute healthy meal kits at two schools per week, and thanks to you, we’re increasing the number of kits we can provide at each school! THANK YOU!

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Stone Fruit & Tomato Salad

Stone Fruit & Tomato Salad

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School distribution

Program Discussion
How we've shifted programs during COVID-19

Educators, teachers, program managers – watch our discussion about how we have addressed the needs of our kids and families during the pandemic through distance learning, take-home recipe kits, and partnerships. 

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Spiced Corn & Plum Prana Salad

Spiced Corn & Plum Prana Salad

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Kids with broccoli

Let’s Share Joy! It Builds Resilience.
Letter from the CEO

At Food Literacy Center, we have a reputation for spreading joy. We do this with great intention. Research shows that joy builds resilience. 

This Food Literacy Month, we invite you to share in our joy! Times are hard for everyone right now, and we could all use a little joy. Joy is actually good for your health!–almost as good as broccoli! 

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Veggie of Year Salad

Veggie of the Year Rice Salad

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Summer Polenta

Summer Polenta

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Tomatoes

Heirloom Tomato Sauce

Press release
Kid with Broccoli

Food Literacy Center Celebrates 8th Annual Food Literacy Month
Presented by Dignity Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (September 1, 2020) – This September, Sacramento’s Food Literacy Center is celebrating the statewide 8th annual Food Literacy Month, presented by Dignity Health. Since 2012, when Food Literacy Center worked with California legislators to pass the statewide resolution, the nonprofit has worked to share Food Literacy Month with area elementary schools, empowering children to eat their vegetables and improve their health. 

Form
Veggie of the Year chefs

Vote for the Veggie of the Year Chef Champion
In celebration of Food Literacy Month

During Food Literacy Month, our kids will try each veggie and vote for their favorite. Local chef’s will also develop and share their favorite recipe on a Facebook live cooking demo. See the line up, watch the demos and vote for your favorite chef below!

You can no longer particpate in this poll, because this poll is closed.
Answer%
Team Broccoli - Chef Rick Mahan0.8%
Team Collard Green - Chef Nina Curtis57.8%
Team Bok Choy - Chef Ravin Patel0.3%
Team Mushroom - Chef Billy Ngo0.2%
Team Avocado - Chef Brien Kuzniki40.9%
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Veggie of the Year

Food Literati Fundraising Teams 2020
Vote with your dollars and help kids!

September is Food Literacy Month and we are celebrating by raising awareness and funds to empower kids to make healthy choices! We are joined by an incredible line-up of Food Literati Leaders and sponsors that are fundraising in September. 

Follow the links for each team below to contribute to their fundraising campaign. 

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Food Literacy Month graphic

Food Literacy Month 2020
Presented by Dignity Health

September is Food Literacy Month

In 2012, Food Literacy Center worked with the California legislature to declare September as Food Literacy Month to raise awareness about the need for cooking and nutrition education for kids. Donate now!

Recipe Food Literacy Center

Korean BBQ Veggie Kebabs

Form
Veggie Contenders

Voting for 2020 Veggie Contenders
Cast Your Vote for Veggie of the Year Competitors

September is Food Literacy Month and Veggie of the Year is back! Local chefs will be competing for the ultimate veggie crown and you can help us narrow down the vegetable contenders to 5 finalists.

Unfortunately, you cannot participate in this poll, because your browser is not enabled for Javascript and/or cookies.
Recipe Food Literacy Center
Asian Slaw

Asian Slaw

Press release
Veggie Recipe Kit distribution

The Public File
Entercom Sacramento

Once again, our Founder & CEO, Amber Stott, joins Kat Maudru on “The Public File” to talk about our mission, solutions in action during the COVID-19 crisis, future cooking school, and what you can do to help our kids.

The Public File August Interview

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Cucumber Dill Salad

Cucumber Dill Salad

Press release
Staff packing veggie boxes

Food Literacy Center Brings Veggie Education to Families Throughout the Summer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sacramento, Calif. – (July 29, 2020) – Programming from Food Literacy Center doesn’t stop when the final school bell rings. All summer long, Food Literacy Center is bringing Sacramento-area kids and families alike educational activities, veggie recipe kits, and more to continue the lettuce learning throughout the summer months.

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Veggie Recipe Kit distribution

COVID has Changed Us
Letter from the CEO

2020 has challenged us all. COVID has closed schools. For me, it has renewed the reasons I started Food Literacy Center in the first place. I began this work because our existing food system does not benefit everyone equally. It causes real harm and disease to the most vulnerable. I have always believed that we can change that. I know that’s why you’re here, too. Our work is more critical than ever.

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Veggie Recipe Kit

Veggie Recipe Kit Distributions
Sponsored by Whole Foods Market

Since schools shut down due to COVID-19, we have been providing our curriculum and cooking lessons online and distributing at-home cooking kits for our former afterschool students. This summer, we continue to provide Veggie Recipe Kits to students at the schools we serve so they can cook a healthy meal for their family and practice their food literacy skills at home. These students are food and nutrition insecure.

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Carrot Top Pesto

Carrot Top Pesto

 

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Text: Resources for Teaching Kids About Race

Resources for Teaching Kids About Race

Now, more than ever, it is vital that we teach our children about embracing racial diversity. To create a lasting anti-racist shift in our society, we must plant seeds of empathy and inclusivity early and often. If you’re not sure how to have these important conversations with your children, here are some helpful resources to get you started today.

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Black Lives Matter
Letter from the CEO

When we commit to protecting kids’ health with vegetables, we also stand up for their lives. Black lives matter. We stand with our Black community members to call out injustice and to take action. Food literacy is food justice. 

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Kids Spring Farmers Market

Kids Spring Farmers Market
Students set up to practice food literacy at drive-through event.

Our Kids Spring Farmers Market looked a little different this year, but the goal was the same–set up our students to practice food literacy at home. Our kids went home with an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables thanks to Nugget Markets.

Recipe Food Literacy Center
Cactus and Corn Salsa

Cactus and Corn Salsa

Press release
Volunteers hand out tomato plants

The Public File
Entercom Sacramento

Kat Maudru interviews our Founder & CEO, Amber Stott, about Food Literacy Center’s new programs and our response to COVID-19.

The Public File Interview

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Veggie STEM Box distribution

Reflecting on Our Food Movement
10 Years of Collaboration

Nearly a decade ago, a small movement started in Sacramento. People with a fire in their bellies started joining forces to fix a broken food system.

Video
New Cooking School – Video

New Cooking School – Video

School is getting healthier for Sacramento kids! Food Literacy Center shares plans for our new cooking school, which broke ground yesterday. Check out drone footage of the future site, architectural drawings, and hear about our founder & CEO’s vision.

Support our FREE food literacy classes by donating today.

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Kids with thank you sign

A Big THANK YOU!
$33,333 raised on Big Day of Giving

Our community has spoken. Through your generous donations yesterday on Big Day of Giving, you helped us raise $33,333 to support students facing food and nutrition insecurity. Your gifts speak to the priorities of our community. Thank you for putting our kids’ health at the top of your list.

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Our kids still need us, and we still need YOU
on Big Day of Giving

We’re in a crisis. Rates of food and nutrition insecurity are rising. At Food Literacy Center, we combine immediate food assistance with resilience skill-building. We haven’t let the crisis stop us. Support our kids on Big Day of Giving.

Press release
Kids Cooking Tools

That PSA Show
I Heart Radio

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Kids with broccoli

Veggie STEM Box Distributions Begin
Letter from our CEO

We miss our kids! We have remained focused on reaching them since schools closed due to COVID-19. This week, in partnership with SCUSD Nutrition Services Department, we begin a Veggie STEM Box distribution targeting the elementary students in our former afterschool programs. These students are food and nutrition insecure. 

Over the years, these kids have fallen in love with veggies, and we want to ensure they continue to have access to both our STEM-based curriculum, and the fresh produce needed to make our healthy recipes. 

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Girl gardening

FEAST Curriculum
Garden & Health Lessons

In 2015, Food Literacy Center and its community partners formed a collaborative project called FEAST, or Food Education and School Transformation, to inspire students at Sacramento’s low-income elementary schools to eat fresh and locally-sourced fruits and veggies. We collaborate with Health Education Council and Soil Born Farms to create family health-centered programs to fill a gap in the school district. Together, our programs teach cooking skills, nutrition, gardening, and fitness to students and their parents. FEAST improves family health by inviting kids to inspire their parents.

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Veggie Fresh Rolls

Lesson 11
Veggie Fresh Rolls

Students will understand which fruits and vegetables grow in Sacramento during the four seasons. They will learn that eating local and in season tastes better and can cost less.

Resources

Detailed Veggie Fresh Roll Recipe

Video of the lesson: Facebook or YouTube

Lesson 11 - Supply List

Lesson 11 - Printable Recipe in English

Lesson 11 - Printable Recipe in Spanish

Lesson 11 - Printable Recipe in Hmong

Lesson 11- Lesson Plan

Lesson 11 - Activity Worksheet

Has your student done the lesson? Fill out this quick 6 question quiz!

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3 broccoli potato taco plated

Lesson 10
Broccoli & Potato Taco

Students will learn to stretch food dollars and throw away less food by making a recipe that uses the whole vegetable. The Broccoli & Potato Taco recipe was developed with students to promote the SCUSD School Wellness Policy. 

Resources

Detailed Broccoli & Potato Taco Recipe

Video of the lesson: Facebook or YouTube

Lesson 10 - Supply List

Lesson 10 - Printable Recipe in English

Lesson 10 - Printable Recipe in Spanish

Lesson 10 - Printable Recipe in Hmong

Lesson 10 - Lesson Plan

Lesson 10 - Activity Worksheet

Has your student done the lesson? Fill out this quick 6 question quiz!

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Veggies chopped on a cutting board

Lesson 9
Plant Parts Salad

Students will learn the difference between fruits and vegetables. Then, they identify the 6 parts of a plant.

Resources

Detailed Plant Parts Salad Recipe

Video of the lesson: Facebook or YouTube

Lesson 9 - Supply List

Lesson 9 - Printable Recipe in English

Lesson 9 - Printable Recipe in Spanish

Lesson 9 - Printable Recipe in Hmong

Lesson 9 - Lesson Plan

Lesson 9 - Activity Worksheet

Has your student done the lesson? Fill out this quick 6 question quiz!

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Staying Healthy in Times of Crisis
Letter from our CEO

Reaching Our Kids 
As we build our STEM-based classroom lessons into online distance learning tools, our commitment to our students remains firm. Our goal is to reach the children we have been serving for a decade–and if you’re in Iowa or San Diego, you can now join, too! 

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Dried beans

Skill Set 3
Dried Beans

Students will learn to cook a staple pantry ingredient from scratch: dried beans.

Resources

Detailed Dried Beans Recipe

Video of the skill set: Facebook or YouTube

Skill Set 3 - Supply List

Skill Set 3 - Printable Recipe

Printable Recipe in Hmong

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Kids kitchen tools

Skill Set 2
Kids Cooking Tools

There are so many tools kids can use safely in the kitchen. Below is a list of some of our favorites.

Resources

Video of the skill set: Facebook or YouTube

Skill Set 2 - Kids Kitchen Tools

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Veggie tostada

Lesson 8
Veggie Tostada

Kids will learn that buying ingredients to make meals at home can be less expensive and healthier than eating out. When you cook for yourself, you know what is in your food and have more control over what goes in it. 

Resources

Detailed Vegetable Tostada Recipe

Video of the lesson: Facebook or YouTube

Lesson 8 - Supply List

Lesson 8 - Printable Recipe in English

Lesson 8 - Printable Recipe in Spanish

Lesson 8 - Printable Recipe in Hmong

Lesson 8 - Lesson Plan

Lesson 8 - Activity Worksheet

Has your student done the lesson? Fill out this quick 6 question quiz!

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Girl cutting oranges

In Praise of Health Prevention
Letter from our CEO

People around the world are hypervigilant about preventing the spread of COVID-19. It’s important work, though it is not a mindset to which we’re accustomed. In America, we spend the majority of our healthcare budget on treating problems once they happen. 

Right now, we are focused on the opposite end of the healthcare spectrum: keeping people healthy before they get sick in the first place. We may never know how important our stay-at-home contributions were to the overall health of our community, because it will be measured by what did NOT happen.

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Noodle Soup ingredients

Lesson 7
Noodle Soup

Students will learn how salt works in their bodies, how much we should eat, and learn how to find the amount of salt in foods. 

Resources

Detailed Noodle Soup Recipe

Video of the recipe: Facebook or YouTube
Video of the activity: Facebook or YouTube

Lesson 7 - Supply List

Lesson 7 - Printable Recipe in English

Lesson 7 - Printable Recipe in Spanish

Lesson 7 - Printable Recipe in Hmong

Lesson 7 - Lesson Plan

Lesson 7 - Activity Worksheet

Has your student done the lesson? Fill out this quick 6 question quiz!

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Guacamole

Lesson 6
Guacamole

Kids will understand that our bodies need fat and that it is used for storing energy for later. Kids will be able to recognize which foods contain fats that are good for our bodies and fats that we should limit in our diets.

Resources

Detailed Guacamole Recipe

Video of the recipe: Facebook or YouTube
Video of the activity: Facebook or YouTube

Lesson 6 - Supply List

Lesson 6 - Printable Recipe in English

Lesson 6 - Printable Recipe in Spanish

Lesson 6 - Printable Recipe in Hmong

Lesson 6 - Lesson Plan

Lesson 6 - Activity Worksheet

Has your student done the lesson? Fill out this quick 6 question quiz!  

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Girl cooking

How to Help: School Meals, Restaurants & More
Letter from the CEO

In these uncertain times and with things changing so fast, I find stability in helping those in need and acting quickly. Here are some ways you can help, and some thoughts on pressing issues. 

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Oatmeal with fresh fruit

Lesson 5
Oatmeal

Students will learn how sugar works in their bodies, and learn how to find the amount of sugar in foods. 

Resources

Detailed Oatmeal with Fresh Fruit Recipe

Video of the lesson: Facebook or YouTube

Lesson 5 - Supply List

Lesson 5 - Printable Recipe in English

Lesson 5 - Printable Recipe in Spanish

Lesson 5 - Printable Recipe in Hmong

Lesson 5 - Lesson Plan

Lesson 5 - Activity Worksheet

Has your student done the lesson? Fill out this quick 6 question quiz!  

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Ranch Popcorn

Lesson 4
Ranch Popcorn

Students will understand what grains are and what foods contain whole grains.

Our bodies need fiber every day. It keeps our bodies clean, and it helps us feel full. If we eat a fruit or vegetable with every snack and meal, we will eat fiber. There are other kinds of fiber that our bodies like, too. It comes from whole grains.

Resources

Detailed Ranch Popcorn Seasoning Recipe

Video of the lesson: Facebook or YouTube

Lesson 4 - Supply List

Lesson 4 - Printable Recipe in English

Lesson 4 - Printable Recipe in Spanish

Lesson 4 - Printable Recipe in Hmong

Lesson 4 - Lesson Plan

Lesson 4 - Activity Worksheet

Has your student done the lesson? Fill out this quick 6 question quiz!  

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We’re Here to Help
Letter from the CEO

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers.’ You will always find people who are helping.” ~ Mr. Rogers. 

Today, we face a grave public health crisis with COVID-19. Our response: With children at home, we swiftly launched our first online food literacy lesson within 3 days of school closures. We will roll out two lessons every week, complete with video classes. Anyone can follow along at home. They are available for FREE

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Making Spaghetti Marinara

Lesson 3
Spaghetti Marinara

Students will understand how fiber works in their bodies and give examples of foods that contain fiber. They will be introduced to the nutritional facts table and find fiber. 

Resources

Detailed Spaghetti Marinara Recipe

Video of the lesson: Facebook or YouTube

Lesson 3 - Supply List

Lesson 3 - Printable Recipe in English 

Lesson 3 - Printable Recipe in Spanish  

Lesson 3 - Printable Recipe in Hmong

Lesson 3 - Lesson Plan

Lesson 3 - Activity Worksheet

Has your student done the lesson? Fill out this quick 6 question quiz!  

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Eating Tres Hermanas

Lesson 2
Tres Hermanas Tacos

Students will explore their food culture and learn about others’. Students will reflect on their own eating habits and culture. 

Resources

Detailed Tres Hermanas Taco Recipe

Video of the lesson: Facebook or YouTube

Lesson 2 - Supply List

Lesson 2 - Printable Recipe in English

Lesson 2 - Printable Recipe in Spanish

Lesson 2 - Printable Recipe in Hmong

Lesson 2 - Lesson Plan

Lesson 2 - Activity Worksheet

Has your student done the lesson? Fill out this quick 6 question quiz!  

Food Wiki
Local Food Procurement

Local Food Procurement

You may make an effort to satisfy a healthy diet by buying produce locally, but what about the businesses and institutions we frequent?

Imagine the impact if our schools, hospitals, and restaurants adopted the practice of purchasing produce locally. Local food economies would have large scale support, food would be fresher, and this practice can improve the environment.

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Kids cutting veggies

Skill Set 1
Introduction to Knife Skills

Students will learn safe knife handling skills to cook with fruits and vegetables. You can follow along with this lesson by watching our knife skills video.

Resources

Video of the skill set: Facebook or YouTube

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Sunbutter sandwich

Lesson 1
Sunflower Seed Butter & Seasonal Fruit Sandwich

Students will be able to assemble a healthy meal/snack by following a recipe, and be able to share ideas about how to add a fruit or veggie to every snack and meal. Kids will learn and practice safe knife skills.

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Letter from our CEO
Online Curriculum Videos Available

Schools have closed due to COVID-19. In the face of uncertainty, I want to assure you that Food Literacy Center is here to help! We are committed to serving our students and our community. As a nonprofit focused on preventative health, we have skills and tools to share to help us get through this together. We’re rolling up our sleeves to release resources that, until now, have only been available to our instructors. We want you to have them, too–and we will be providing them for free. 

Press release
Kids cutting veggies

Food Literacy Center Awarded Grants from Five Local Organizations
Dignity Health, The Rite Aid Foundation, Sierra Health Foundation, The Anthony Cerami Ann Dunne Foundation for World Health, and UC Davis Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Food Literacy Center is honored to be chosen as the recipient of grant funding from Dignity Health, The Rite Aid Foundation KidCents program, Sierra Health Foundation, The Anthony Cerami Ann Dunne Foundation for World Health, and UC Davis Health. Since 2011, Food Literacy Center has committed to making a difference in the Sacramento community through food literacy education.

Press release
Amber Stott

That PSA Show
I Heart Radio

Press release
Amber with kids

Building a Better Sacramento with Food Literacy
KFBK with Bethany Crouch

Chief Food Genius, Amber Stott chats with Bethany Crouch and explains how Food Literacy Center is helping to build a better Sacramento.

KFBK Interview

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Viri grating carrots

Hap-pea Holidays – Viri’s Story
By Amber Stott, Chief Food Genius

I stopped by our food literacy class last week to ask the students what they think of our program. I can’t wait to share Viri’s story with you! It will fill you with holiday cheer. 

Viri is in second grade. Her parents operate a taco truck in South Sacramento, and they try to teach Viri to eat healthy. Her mom is glad that Viri is hearing the same messages about healthy eating once a week in the free cooking and nutrition class offered at her school through Food Literacy Center.

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Holiday farmers market

Kids Holiday Farmers Market
140 students go home with 1,288 pounds of fresh produce

This week Food Literacy Center hosted the Kids Holiday Farmers Market sponsored by Nugget Markets. We sent 140 students home over winter break with 1,288 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables so they can continue practicing the healthy habits they learn in food literacy class.

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Aubrey with seeds

Follow a Food Adventurer
See what a typical day will be for a student at the new Food Literacy Center

Rates of diet-related disease are high, reflecting the 40% of students in Sacramento who are obese or overweight, and 1 in 3 living with type 2 diabetes. Studies show that developing healthy habits early can help prevent these diet-related diseases. Our free cooking and nutrition program empowers kids to improve their diets with healthy food. 

We invite you to follow Aubrey, a food adventurer in our food literacy program, as we share what her day looks like. 

Press release
Holiday farmers market

Kids Holiday Farmers Market hosted by Food Literacy Center
Students Practice Food Literacy Over Winter Break

Sacramento, CA – The Kids Holiday Farmers Market, hosted by Food Literacy Center, will take place on Monday, December 16 at 2:30 p.m. at an elementary school in Sacramento City Unified School District. The Holiday Farmers Market, in partnership with Nugget Markets, Kaiser Permanente, and LIBERTY Dental Plan will offer Food Literacy Center students the chance to take home an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables for the winter break.

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Girl with cabbage

Follow a Food Adventurer on #GivingTuesday
Tuesday, December 3, 2019

It’s Giving Tuesday! We have Black Friday, Cyber Monday… and now Giving Tuesday: a day to focus on giving back.

Help us fund 16 kids before midnight. Please give.

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Food Adventurer

Fund a Food Adventurer
241 Kids Need Your Support by December 31

Food Literacy Center is committed to bringing 14 weeks of free food literacy class to 8 schools during the 2019-20 school year.

Help us fund the remaining 241 students by December 31!

Article

Pomegranates—A Labor of Love & Health
By Matthew J. Blackburn, Food Genius

Despite the abundance of articles and posts claiming there is an easy way to liberate pomegranate seeds from their pith (aka fake news), it is still a labor-intensive task. Do not let that deter you from enjoying the sweet “seed-apple” gems. With a little practice, you will master the process and reap the health-intensive benefits and delectable flavor of the pomegranate.

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Kids doing veggie cheer - photo by Adam Gottlieb

What our Cooking School Means for the Community
Message from CEO, Amber Stott

Amber Stott is the Founder and CEO of Food Literacy Center.

Last year, a teacher at Leataata Floyd Elementary asked the students why they like their food literacy class. Several students said they like trying new foods. Others said they love cooking their own food. One student said, “They never give up on us.” 

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