Food Literacy: The Life Skill Finally Being Taught in Schools.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...Imagine a 13-year-old student—overweight for her age, already pre-diabetic—who has grown up surrounded by food but never truly learned how to use it. Vegetables feel unfamiliar. Cooking feels out of reach. Then she joins a food literacy program at school. She discovers there are fruits and vegetables she actually enjoys. She learns how to prepare them. Over time, her eating habits change, her health improves, and eventually, medication is no longer part of her daily life. Her family follows her lead—because food literacy doesn’t stop in the classroom.With food literacy, stories like this aren’t hypothetical. They’re happening.In this episode, I speak with Amber Stott, Founder and CEO—and proudly titled Chief Food Genius—of the Food Literacy Center. We talk about childhood obesity, food insecurity, and why teaching kids how to cook may be one of the most effective long-term health interventions we have.Why This MattersNearly 40% of children in the Sacramento region are considered obese, many while also experiencing food insecurityCheap, calorie-dense food and a lack of basic food education are driving diet-related diseases at younger and younger agesOnce unhealthy habits are formed, they’re hard to undo—but kids don’t have habits yet, we can make a difference with the right programsFood Literacy Center focuses on prevention, not correction—building healthy behaviors early, when they’re most likely to stick.What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeWhy hunger and obesity often exist side by sideHow hands-on cooking changes kids’ attitudes toward foodWhy 94% of students in the program try new fruits and vegetablesHow behavior change happens at school—and carries homeWhat it takes to scale impact without losing qualityWhy adults consistently underestimate what kids are willing to tryBy the Numbers40% – Childhood obesity rate in the Sacramento region94% – Students who try new fruits or vegetables in the program75% – Students who ask for those foods at home23 schools – Current reach, with plans to double by 2027$160 per child – Cost of prevention versus far higher long-term health costsWho This Episode Is ForNonprofit leaders focused on prevention and early interventionEducators and school administratorsFunders interested in scalable, evidence-based programsAnyone concerned about childhood health, food access, and equityFind out more about the Food Literacy Center by visiting their website: FoodLiteracyCenter.orgEpisode Chapters00:00 Why Food Literacy Started05:20 Childhood Obesity & Food Insecurity10:45 Why Schools Change Habits17:30 Kids Try New Foods (94%)25:15 Getting Food Home to Families34:40 Scaling to More Schools44:10 What’s Next for Food Literacy CenterThank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story!  We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/  And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.