Real Impact

Real Impact

VIEW OUR 2025 YEAR END REPORT

Teacher Testimonials

  • Some students, who decided a vegetable wasn't for them, then tried it again and actually enjoyed it--even asked for more!"

  • "We just started a five senses unit, so we explored our broccoli samples with our five senses! That started a whole discussion about how texture or "feeling" might change if we cooked it."

  • "This year has been quite fun. The program is wonderful, and it's so nice to have the children learn about fruits and vegetables."

  • "They became so excited for each lesson. Their confidence grew when we spoke about the climates needed, the way that items grow, their words describing the items - it was one of the best experiences I have had."

  • "My students asked for a bag to take the seeds home to plant them. We just finished a science section on seeds so it was a great lesson connection."

  • “SnackTime Explorers has been a refreshing and multifaceted approach to nutrition education for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program at CPS schools.”

We aim to optimize the student, teacher, and school nutrition department’s experience with FFVP. So far, we’ve experienced:

  • Improved Teacher and Administration Perception of FFVP

    • SnackTime Explorers positions the School Nutrition Department as thought leaders and bridge builders in their district. Building out this relationship between teachers and school nutrition professionals makes FFVP implementation smoother, more rewarding, and a united effort across school departments. 

  • Successful Engagement with Fruits, Vegetables, and Academics

    • SnackTime Explorers helps make students more willing and excited to try new fruits and vegetables in the cafeteria and classroom.

    • In 2023-24, 100% of SnackTime Explorers teachers agreed that using Food Education helped build classroom community and connection. 

    • In 2025, 81% of teachers agreed that using FFVP snacks is a strong use of classroom instructional time, compared to 41% before the program began.

  • Increased Food Education IQ

    • Students have shown improved understanding of food systems and their role within them.

    • In 2023-24, we saw a significant increase in SnackTime Explorers students’ knowledge about the various influences on their food choices.

Learn More

A Sample Lesson

A 5th grade class at Wildwood Elementary School learns how food and the environment are interconnected. Each SnackTime Explorers lesson aligns with one of Pilot Light’s seven standards and includes free, ready-to-use resources for teachers to extend learning.

The vocabulary words included in this lesson are climate, crop, interconnected, season, seasonality, and weather.