Our
programs

Our Eat Great to Be Great core programs—Power of Produce, Healthy Holidays, and Level the Playing Field—ensure kids have fresh food and knowledge to make healthy choices year-round

The Power of Produce © is an engaging and interactive nutrition education program designed for children in Pre-K through 8th grade.

During this 50 minute assembly, students participate in

Taste Tests: Exciting opportunities to sample a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Age appropriate lessons on how consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables can help them become faster, smarter, stronger, healthier and happier!
Interactive Q&A: Engaging discussions about the nutritional benefits of different produce, emphasizing the importance of each "color of the rainbow.
Following the lesson and taste tests, students enjoy "shopping" a "farm market" experience. They receive a reusable shopping bag filled with 34 servings of high-quality fruits and vegetables to take home and enjoy.

The core message of the program is simple

yet powerful:
"Eat Great 2B Great," just like their favorite heroes.

All Feed the Soul educational programs align with State Standards for Nutrition and Health Education!

What people say about the Power of Produce

“The Power of Produce is the most educational and impactful program I have ever seen.”
- The City of Cincinnati Human Services Director

Healthy Holidays © is a program designed to mitigate the impact of food insecurity during school breaks, such as long weekends and holiday vacations.

By providing students with backpacks containing 14 servings of fresh fruits (apples, bananas, mandarin oranges) and easy-to-prepare breakfast items, the program ensures that children continue to receive essential nutrition when school meals are unavailable.

Beyond providing vital calories, this program prioritizes the delivery of essential nutrients crucial for:

Brain Development
Cognitive Function
Immune System Function
Healthy Digestion

Healthy Holidays program fosters a sense of community and responsibility. Students actively participate in the distribution process by assisting Feed the Soul volunteers in packing and distributing the backpacks to their classmates.

What people say about Healthy Holidays

“Providing healthy food is incredibly important for their well being. It supports their physical and mental health, helps them focus better in the classroom and fosters positive habits that can benefit them for a lifetime.Seeing their excitement in helping sort and pack the fruit makes it even more special. It is heartwarming to watch them support their peers while gaining a sense of accomplishment. ”

- Dana Dahlehl, West High ESL Specialist/Coordinator

Level the Field © provides daily access to fresh fruits and engaging nutrition education programs for students

in grades 7-12.

Recognizing that a lack of vital nutrients from fresh produce can impair cognitive function, leading to focus and memory issues, as well as impacting physical and mental health, Level the Field empowers students with:

Daily Access to Fresh Produce: A dedicated refrigerator is stocked weekly with fresh fruits.
Comprehensive Nutrition Education: Health class sessions focus on:
- "Using Food as Medicine": Exploring how healthy eating can reduce the risk of disease and illness.
- "Brain Power": Investigating how healthy habits like sleep, exercise, nutrition, deep breathing, meditation and exercise can improve academic performance and mental well-being.
- "Fuel Your Success": Understanding how proper nutrition enhances energy levels, reduces injury risk, and provides an edge in athletics, hobbies, and everyday life.

By providing consistent access to fresh produce and valuable nutrition and life style education, Level the Field empowers students to make informed choices that support their overall health, academic success, and athletic performance.

What people say about Level the Field

“LPF is a GAMECHANGER. The impact of this program is noticed in every room of our building. The students love the fresh fruit, and I am thrilled that we no longer find Takis and Hot Fries bags all over the campus. Once the fruit became available, the students stopped eating those types of snacks.”

- Siobhan Taylor, DePaul Cristo Rey President

Cultivating Calm © is a unique experiential learning program that empowers students to engage in food science and agriculture activities.

Through hands-on experiences with hydroponic growing systems and school gardens, students learn about the entire food life cycle—from planting and nurturing to harvesting and preparing healthy meals. This program offers a therapeutic and inspiring environment for students to connect with nature, develop new skills, and find healing from trauma.

Every day, massive amounts of high-quality, nutrient-dense produce are discarded due to logistical surpluses or minor cosmetic imperfections. "To The Rescue" intercepts this produce directly from growers and distributors. This recovered food is then redistributed at local schools, ensuring that students and their families have immediate access to the premium fuel they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

To maximize the impact of every piece of fruit and vegetable rescued, we teach students the science of food preservation. This includes:

Optimal Storage Techniques: Understanding which items belong in the pantry versus the refrigerator and how to use airflow to prevent premature spoilage.
The "Freshness Factor": Teaching students tangible methods for determining food quality through sight, touch, and smell, reducing the fear of "ugly" produce that is still perfectly safe and delicious.
Shelf Life Extension: Simple, at-home methods to keep produce crisp and nutritious for longer periods.