COMMON THREADS’ PROGRAMS

We believe:

  • School and community based programs are essential so that no child faces access barriers to food education
  • When gardening, cooking and eating are presented in a positive peer environment, kids are more likely to take risks and try foods that may not be familiar to them
  • Kids are capable and can be trusted with real tools and real recipes
  • When youth are joyfully engaged with fresh produce and scratch cooked meals, they bring that excitement and learning home to their families
  • Healthy, tasty food can be inexpensive and easy, our programs model simple, affordable, seasonal, local eating
  • AmeriCorps Food Educators are excellent role models and bring energy and enthusiasm! 

AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency for volunteering, service, and civic engagement. CNCS engages millions of Americans in citizen service through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the nation’s volunteer and service efforts.

SCHOOL-BASED GARDENING & COOKING PROGRAMS

  • Common Threads’ Food Educators lead fall and spring garden lessons connecting the garden to science, nutrition, environmental stewardship, socio-emotional learning, math, and  literacy. 
  • Coordinate care of the garden through a combination of student activities and community volunteers. 
  • Provide cooking lessons during the winter months featuring vegetables grown in school gardens and local farms. Check out some of our recipes here! 

We also operate Covid-safe after-school programs as they are approved by particular schools and school districts on a case-by-case basis.

For a current list of schools participating in gardening & cooking programs, please view our partners on the Supporters & Partners page.

COMMUNITY-BASED GARDENING & COOKING PROGRAMS

Common Threads’ also partners with local affordable housing sites and community centers to provide gardening, cooking and eating opportunities for students. Examples of programming include:

  • “Kids Cook” programs in which kids get to prepare a fully reimbursable, nutritious, and tasty meal alongside fun recreational activities
  • Community learning gardens where nearby residents, children, and youth work together to maintain the garden and grow food that can be used by residents and in after school and summer meals and snacks
  • A food truck that brings nutritious and tasty meals to kids farthest from opportunity during the summer months when there are gaps in school meal programs

For a current list of organizations participating in gardening & cooking programs, please view the partners section on the Supporters & Partners page

CLIMETIME

Common Threads partners with other community organizations ncluding Wild Whatcom, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA), and RE Sources to offer Clime time workshops for local educators. These workshops are free, and are aimed at helping teachers across Whatcom County gain experience teaching about how climate change affects us right here in our own community.

You can learn more about and register for ClimeTime workshops here.

 

CONTACT US

Are you a school or community organization interested in having Common Threads’ Food Educators provide gardening or cooking activities to your students? 

Or are you a like-missioned organization in Washington state that is interested in hosting AmeriCorps?

Please contact us and we’ll be happy to talk with you!