Growing Palates

Schedule: Tuesdays; 1 hour class weekly for 12 weeks

For Who: Children ages 4-11 (Grades K-5)

Format: Caregiver and me (Adult participation required); Hands-on, sensory, farm-to-table nutrition and cooking discovery course

Philosophy: Whole-food, plant-based; no artificial colors or dyes; no preservatives; no added sugar (except small amounts of maple syrup or dates)

Kids prepare lunch together each week, learn real-life chef skills, and discover the joy of eating real, nourishing food through evidence-based, plant-powered.

12-Week Course Outline

Week 1 – The Art of Flavor & Mindful Eating

• Help kids explore taste and texture with curiosity, learn the basics of mindful eating, and understand how slowing down helps their brains notice when they’re satisfied.

Week 2 – Eat the Rainbow: How Food Fuels Our Bodies

• Show kids how colorful fruits and vegetables fuel their bodies, support different parts of their health, and how to add more color to every meal.

Week 3 – Where Does Food Come From? Farm-to-Table

• Connect kids to where their food really comes from and help them appreciate farms, seasons, and the journey from soil to plate.

Week 4 – Growing Your Own Food: Sprouts & Shoots

• Show kids how easy and exciting it can be to grow food at home or school with simple sprouting and windowsill gardening projects.

Week 5 – Fiber & Water: The Super Team

• Help kids understand how fiber and water support digestion, fullness, and steady energy, and which real foods are high in fiber.

Week 6 – Power of Protein (Plant Edition)

• Teach kids what protein does in the body and show them fun, plant-based ways to get strong, lasting energy from real foods.

Week 7 – Fabulous Fats: Brain Food & Energy Boosters

• Help kids understand that healthy fats are essential for the brain and body, and how to recognize nourishing fats versus highly processed ones.

Week 8 – Real Food vs. Processed Food

• Teach kids the difference between real, minimally processed foods and ultra-processed products, and why most of what we eat should come from nature.

Week 9 – Label Detectives: What’s Really in Our Food?

• Help kids read ingredient lists and labels so they can spot additives, preservatives, and artificial colors — and choose simpler, real-food options.

Week 10 – Sneaky Sugars: The Sweet Truth

• Teach kids to tell the difference between natural and added sugars, understand why juice isn’t the same as fruit, and spot sneaky sugars on labels.

Week 11 – Building a Better Snack: Real Food That Fuels You

• Empower kids to create balanced snacks that combine protein, fiber, healthy fats, and color for steady energy between meals.

Week 12 – Global Foods & Cultural Appreciation

• Celebrate global food traditions and show kids how cultures around the world use plants, herbs, and spices — building respect, curiosity, and adventurous eating.