Sprouting Chefs inspires youth to view their world and the food they eat in a wholesome organic and healthy way. Our mandate is to show students how nature weaves its way through lessons in Science, Art, Math, Language Arts, Physical Education and Social Studies in schools throughout the Vancouver Lower Mainland. Growing from seed to table, students will learn how to grow, harvest and cook their own foods.

We have partnered together with Discovery Organics to supply schools with local organic produce in order to supplement items from the garden for kitchen lessons, and Quest Exchange Food Program to provide high- end discounted gourmet food items for school lunch programs and catered events for the school.

Sprouting Chefs is flexible to the needs of individual schools. We can provide garden and landscape plans as simple as a tray of salad greens in the classroom to completely re-developing the landscape of the schoolyard into an edible schoolyard.  Together with teachers we create easy BC Approved Lesson plans in both the garden and kitchen environments. By incorporating practical life lessons in the garden and kitchen, older students attain important values of empowerment, creativity, trust, stewardship of the earth and legacy to future students. At Sprouting Chefs we provide the positive change of healthy eating, increased physical activity, environmental and sustainable awareness in school aged youth.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to provide a safe, respectful, green space for youth to learn how to grow, nurture and cook their own food.

Mission Statement

To develop a sustainable kitchen garden program that can be transferable and fully integrated into any school.

Features & Benefits:

Cultivate an environment where the Sprouting Chef can discover how nature weaves its way through lessons in Art, Science, Math, Social Studies, Home Economics, Physical Education & Language Arts.

• Sprouting Chefs will be flexible in regards to the  needs of the school, students, teachers and administrators to create the best possible garden kitchen experience including:
  • Develop an existing garden into an edible garden
  • Starting small by providing a potted garden space
  • Providing a customized approved kitchen cooking program for students using healthy organic produce
• Or a customized combination of all of the above.

Features & Benefits Table:

Please contact us for an appropriate quote for your school

Top

Statistics supporting kitchen garden programs in schools include:

Supporting Life Skills in Youth: The gardening program provides an opportunity for youth to gain job and life skills. They learn cooperation, leadership, gain self-esteem, and are provided with a positive alternative to activities that can get them in trouble. By providing produce to the community, the youth gain pride in being able to do something positive for others. Youth have gone on to health internships and well-paying jobs with the city.

- Kim Allen, Berkeley Youth Alternatives, CA

Healthier Eating Habits in Elementary Students: "I LOVE vegetables!" "This is the most fun I ever had!" "I can't wait to eat the kale!" Children gave up recess time to water, weed, and admire their garden. They devoured the fresh spinach and chard we harvested this spring, and even wanted more fresh garlic to add to the salad dressing they prepared. It was astonishing to see 9- and 10-year-olds asking for seconds and thirds of salad! The grant has had an impact beyond simple access to more materials. It infused excitement throughout the classrooms and took us to a new level of involvement in the natural world; from which we will continue to explore and grow.

— Maggie Connolly, F.P.G. Child Care Program, NC