005: Raising Kids to be Food-Literate Adults Through Hands-On Education with Charlotte Steele

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Series: Edible SchoolYards

Episode Description:

“It's harder for adults to try new things. So when we build those habits with kids, they can disseminate that and spread that joy to their family members— it's really, really powerful.” —Charlotte Steele

Food education is a powerful tool for supporting kids' holistic development. By providing access to fresh ingredients, teaching cooking skills, and connecting food to culture, we can empower the next generation to make informed, nourishing choices that benefit their health and communities.

The Edible Schoolyard Project is an innovative food education initiative that integrates garden and kitchen classrooms into the school day, empowering students to explore the connections between food, health, and community. By cultivating hands-on learning experiences that foster food literacy, agency, and appreciation for local food systems, Edible Schoolyard aims to equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills to become conscious, confident consumers.

In this episode, Edible Schoolyard New Orleans Director, Charlotte Steele joins Justine to discuss the transformative power of food education programs that go beyond just teaching nutrition facts, the challenges of implementing these kinds of programs, the broader implications of these programs for global food education and the role of cafeterias in promoting healthy food choices.

Connect with Charlotte:

Charlotte Steele is the Director of Edible Schoolyard New Orleans, a pioneering food education program that empowers students to build a positive relationship with food through hands-on learning in gardens and kitchens. With a background in human development and social relations, Charlotte is deeply passionate about using food as a vehicle to support the holistic growth and well-being of young people.

Under Charlotte's leadership, Edible Schoolyard New Orleans has become a model for integrating food-based education into the school day, providing over 4,000 student experiences annually across four public charter schools. Through her work, Charlotte is committed to increasing food access, fostering agency, and cultivating food-literate individuals who will carry these essential life skills into adulthood.

An engaging public speaker, Charlotte has shared her expertise on leveraging food to drive personal and community transformation at events throughout the region. Her vision is to see food education become a standard part of every child's learning experience, empowering the next generation to make informed, nourishing choices that benefit both their own health and the health of the planet.

LinkedIn

Connect with Edible Schoolyards New Orleans:

Website

Facebook

X

Instagram

Connect with NextGen Purpose:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Episode Highlights:

01:08 Access and Agency

07:16 Understanding Food Access

11:57 Food and Community

15:30 Equipping Students with Essential Food Knowledge

20:25 3 Ways To Help Kids Build A Positive Food Relationship

24:56 Tradition and Mindfulness

30:01 An Important Life Skill