Blooming Chefs is a multifaceted ecoliteracy program for children, teens, their families and the community, involving environmental stewardship through gardening, culinary arts, creative writing and visual arts.
At the core of the Blooming Chefs mission is our desire to impart to young people the knowledge that the health of their bodies is directly related to the health of the Earth.
Blooming Chefs works with schools and other organizations to create a grassroots education network in Bennington and beyond. Our innovative programming has included the Bennington Elementary Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Cart, after-school culinary and creative arts workshops, the Bennington Student Community Garden Project and the Indoor Greenhouse Project. Through these programs, young people have the opportunity to participate in the planning, planting, cultivation and harvesting of an instructional community garden. The hands-on work in the garden leads to classroom and after-school projects, where students improve literacy skills and connect their experiences to various content areas across the curriculum, such as science, history, geography and the study of cultures. Growing food naturally leads to the preparation of delicious dishes from the bounty, and this collaborative process provides students with a sense of purpose, new skills, and nutritious food, as well as a stronger identification with the greater community.
site design and some photography by amy anselmo