Social Causes: Food Insecurity, Nutrition, Basic Needs
Built with guidance from public health researchers and nutrition experts, our programs help students and their grown-ups explore food justice while practicing compassion in real-world ways.
Students learn to care for themselves by reflecting on their own food choices and nutrition, care for others by understanding the challenges faced by those experiencing food insecurity, and care for their community by connecting their actions to local food systems.
Program Offerings
Classroom Series: Human Experience of Food Insecurity (3rd-5th grade)
In our classroom series, elementary students will dive deep into the important social issue of food insecurity through standards-aligned lessons that delve into human stories and trade-offs. These lessons help students destigmatize the social issue, cultivate healthy habits and engage in hands-on service to help alleviate hunger in their local community.
Field Trips to the Food Bank (age restrictions vary by partner)
Immersive field trips give students first-hand experience of how food banks operate and why they are critical resources for our local communities. Students actively help the food bank and learn how to apply lessons from the food bank back at school or home.
Family Service Learning: Meal & Kit Assembly (all ages)
Families participate in assembling meal and basic needs kits, supporting school pantries and meal programs, or engaging in other service projects aligned with student learning objectives. This strengthens home-school connections and reinforces compassion practice for the entire family.
All Programs Include:
Curriculum Access — Lessons on food systems, nutrition, and food justice, plus service projects addressing local food insecurity
Coaching & Guided Integration — Collaborative sessions with school staff to localize and guide program implementation and integrate evaluation tools seamlessly, ensuring authentic, meaningful experiences
Community Partner Coordination — Logistics and planning for field trips and service projects managed for organized, impactful engagement
“The Mindful Littles program on food insecurity is a phenomenal curriculum that supports critical thinking, reflection, and service learning while using grade level standards. The students have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for the food they eat and are empowered to support others in the community.”
– Heather Tiraschi, 4th Grade Classroom Teacher
