About us

“The greatest thing you can do for your children is to cook and share food
with them. The precious moments you spend together around the family table
go way beyond the food itself; they lead to an understanding of the benefits
of healthy eating and are the basis for good family relationships.”

- Jacques Pépin, national spokesperson of Spoons Across America

Our Mission Statement

Spoons Across America,^® the source for children’s culinary education is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating children, teachers, and families about the benefits of healthy eating. We work to influence the eating habits of children through hands-on education that celebrates the connection to local farmers and the important tradition of sharing meals around the family table.

Click here for the Spoons Across America Fact Sheet

To accomplish our mission, Spoons Across America:

Provides a network for sharing information and resources among culinary professionals, educators, and parents/guardians
Runs programs in schools, health care organizations, community-based organizations, and the workplace
Supports programs through curriculum development, technical assistance, and capacity building
Partners with organizations to design, fund, and deliver programs

Spoons Across America is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded on the premise that it is essential to the health of our children and our society to bring the joys of the table to the children of America. The table is where children learn about conversation, consideration, tolerance and other tools for getting along in society. When activities are centered around healthful food, children experience a fun and exciting way to learn about nutrition, the physiology of taste, and how food weaves its way through daily life, from the farm to the table.

Our programs encourage healthy eating

How? All of the program recipes use a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are beneficial to long-term health and well-being

Why? A 1995 Cornell University study showed that children who have had hands-on opportunity to explore and prepare new and nutritious foods, will be more likely to eat in a healthy way.

Our programs encourage family meals

How? Whenever possible, Spoons Across America curricula involve in-class and homework assignments that initiate family meals, encourage family participation, and enrich the family eating experience.

Why? Studies show that the interactions that family meals foster benefit children developmentally and psychologically and increase learning readiness. According to a 2000 White House Council of Economic Advisors' report, teenagers who had dinner with their parents five nights a week are far more likely to avoid smoking, drinking, violence, suicide, and drugs. This holds true for single-parent, as well as two-parent families, across all income and racial groups.

Our programs address the educational needs of children

How?
Spoons Across America creates quality hands-on education programs that fulfill New York State educational standards and incorporates valuable life lessons.

Why? Experiential education engages all the senses to reach the whole child. Spoons Across America provides programs that are easy to integrate into existing curriculum.

We are a leader in children's food education

How? Since 2001, Spoons Across America has introduced, administered, and collaborated on over 50 educational programs in over 37 communities across the U.S., reaching over 28,000 children, teachers and families. Our goal is to continue to expand our programming around the country.

Why? Children are our future and their overall health is a national concern. Spoons Across America cares about what children eat and their relationship with food. Spoons Across America's vision is to ensure that every child makes healthy eating choices around the family table.