What does Pilot Light do?

Pilot Light is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization founded in 2010 by chefs Paul Kahan, Jason Hammel, Matthias Merges, and Justin Large. The organization focuses on integrating food education into school curriculums to promote a healthier and more sustainable food system. Its mission is to empower educators and students through food literacy, fostering compassion and informed food choices. Pilot Light offers various programs, including the Food Education Fellowship, which supports K-12 teachers in implementing food education lessons. The organization has published Food Education Standards, available for free nationwide, and provides hands-on classroom programming to enhance educator capacity. Since its inception, Pilot Light has impacted over 26,000 students and 354 educators across 15 school districts. The organization continues to expand its reach through strategic initiatives and fundraising events, engaging with community partners to support its mission.