©Jill Colella Bloomfield | www.teachkidstocook.com

Developing a Food Philosophy for Your OrganizationMany organizations already have policies, protocols and practices in place, but a philosophy is a powerful set of

beliefs that inform your organization’s mission and the many ways—large and small—that it is executed. By

developing a philosophy, organizations can invite stakeholders and those they serve to participate in a holistic

approach to food education, including food literacy and eating competence, in both curricular learning and

practical, daily routines.

FIRST ACTION STEP: FIGURING OUT THE STATUS QUOTake 30-45 minutes and write down any and all official and unofficial policies, rules (either spoken on unspoken)

and recommendations that already exist within your organization. Note: these should include any rules or

expectations followed by administration, faculty, teachers, parents, caregivers and students. Include descriptions

of the processes of mealtimes and snacktimes

NEXT ACTION STEP: YOUR ORGANIZATION’S CURRENT ACTIONS AND VALUESMake a chart listing the official and unofficial policies, rules (either spoken on unspoken) and recommendations

you listed in the first step, using the template below.

ACTION WHY WE DO IT WHAT VALUES DOES THIS

REFLECT

ANY UNINTENTIONAL

MESSAGES? Allowing children to bring

store-bought treats to share

with all students on

birthday

Some parents are insistent

Helps kids feel special

Helping children feel special

Creating a family-friendly

school community

Food is an appropriate way

to celebrate

Not allowing children to use

playground until lunch is

eaten

Children need fuel to be

successful at learning

Care and attention to the

whole child; offering guidance

in absence of parents

Hunger cues do not matter

Adult controls eating

experience, not child

Growing and tending an

edible garden To help children understand

that food comes from nature Providing useful knowledge to

prepare children to be food

literate and competent eaters

Not eating fresh

vegetables is bad, wrong or

“less than”

NEXT ACTION STEP: CLARIFYING IDEAS Use the following prompting questions to clarify values within your organization around food, within the

curriculum and as a daily practice.

• When it comes to food, what are the responsibilities of administrators, staff, teachers, caregivers,

parents and students? What would the optimal division look like? What obstacles (real or perceived)

might be encountered?

• When it comes to food, what are the rights of administrators, staff, teachers, caregivers, parents and

students? What would the optimal division look like? What obstacles (real or perceived) might be

encountered?

• Do children need to learn about food and eating at school? What minimum information should children

know about food and eating? Is this information gained from other sources (home, media, etc.)?

• What language do we use to describe food consumed within our organization (treats, snacks; is there an

emphasis put on healthy foods)? Is the language used consistently by administrators, staff, faculty,

parents, caregivers and students when appropriate?

• Are there any inconsistencies in our current practices? Are any practices in conflict with one another?

©Jill Colella Bloomfield | www.teachkidstocook.com

NEXT ACTION STEP: ARTICULATING A PHILOSOPHY

Use the following prompting questions to formulate a philosophy.

• When it comes to food (teaching and feeding), list the top 5 responsibilities your organization has to its

students.

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

• Create a list of 6-8 adjectives about children and food that you believe are critically important.

• List each of your organization’s stakeholders. For each, create an expectation and a promise about their

roles in teaching/feeding.

STAKEHOLDER EXPECTATION PROMISE Parents Parents will send children with

appropriate lunches and snacks,

according to community agreed upon

standards

To create a positive environment where

children can cultivate eating

competence

Teachers

Administrators

Caregivers

Students

©Jill Colella Bloomfield | www.teachkidstocook.com

FINAL ACTION STEP: DEVELOP A UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION

Having an articulated philosophy about food sets your organization apart as thoughtful and thorough and

committed to the development of your students. It strengthens your community and creates a shared lexicon,

shared experiences, shared practices and shared goals. Your philosophy can be presented in multiple ways (for

example, in a handbook, marketing literature, parent education events) and woven into the policies and rules in

your organization.

Because of your food philosophy, what benefits can your organization offer its students/parents/caregivers that

are unique or different from other organizations which offer similar services? Use these benefits as points of

pride when describing your organization and its overall mission and goals.