Supplemental Food Program

Feeding our community while fostering practical life skills

Our supplemental food program goes far beyond simply providing snacks—it's an integral part of our educational philosophy that nourishes both body and mind. Through this program, we ensure every child has access to healthy, nutritious foods while simultaneously building essential life skills through hands-on food preparation experiences.

Program Goals

Nutrition and Food Security - We provide additional healthy snacks and meals to supplement what families provide, ensuring no child goes hungry and everyone has access to nutritious options that fuel learning and growth.

Practical Life Skills Development - Drawing from Montessori principles, children participate in food preparation activities that are central to developing independence and confidence. These "Practical Life" experiences teach children to care for themselves and others through real, meaningful work.

Building Independence Through Food Preparation - Children learn essential skills including:

• Washing, peeling, and slicing fruits and vegetables using child-safe tools

• Spreading, mixing ingredients, and simple food assembly

• Proper use of real kitchen tools sized appropriately for small hands 

• Food safety, hygiene, and nutrition awareness 

Educational Benefits

These food preparation activities serve multiple developmental purposes. Children develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration while learning about nutrition, hygiene, and food safety. The activities enhance children's ability to concentrate and systematically carry out multi-step processes, laying the foundation for academic learning and problem-solving skills.

Beyond individual development, preparing and serving snacks is a natural way for children to learn cooperation and experience community. When children prepare food for themselves and their classmates, they develop a sense of caring for others and pride in contributing to their community.

Community Connection

Our program creates opportunities for children to understand where food comes from and develop gratitude for the work involved in food preparation. Students learn to appreciate healthy eating habits while building connections between what they eat and how it nourishes their bodies and minds.

How You Can Help

We're actively seeking community support to expand this vital program:

Business Outreach Volunteers Needed - We're looking for parents and community members who can reach out to local businesses to secure food donations, gift cards, or ongoing partnerships that support our program.

Grant Writers Wanted - Parents with grant writing experience are needed to help us secure funding for program expansion, equipment, and ongoing operational support.

Occasional Volunteer Support - We welcome parents who can occasionally help supervise food preparation activities or assist with program coordination.

This program embodies our commitment to the whole child—nourishing their bodies while empowering them with real-world skills that build confidence, independence, and community connection. Through food preparation, children discover they are capable of much more than adults often expect, setting a foundation for lifelong learning and self-reliance.

Contact us at admin@peartreeftc.org if you're interested in volunteering or have connections with local businesses that might support this important program.