Over the past year, I’ve stepped away from blogging—not because I’ve had less to say, but because I’ve been building something offline. My work has taken shape through quieter, deeper conversations: with educators, children, families, and food makers. And this summer, I’m ready to share more.
I’m proud to announce a new collaboration with Mara McEwin, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Treehouse Shakers, on a food and culture literacy program for young children. Designed for pre-K through early elementary ages, the program uses creative play, storytelling, music, and movement to help children explore food beyond the plate. It’s less about memorizing what to eat—and more about discovering how food connects to identity, tradition, and the world around them.
We know from emerging research that story-based, culturally grounded approaches help children build a healthier, more meaningful relationship with food. When they hear a story about rice from another part of the world—or taste something that reminds them of home—they begin to understand food not only as nourishment, but as something shared and inherited. These moments build knowledge, yes—but also empathy, curiosity, and a sense of belonging (Garcia et al., 2024; Johnson et al., 2021).
This project is part of a larger thread in my work: a growing collection of children’s food stories I’ve been writing, including one titled The Mystery of the Baon. The story follows a child uncovering the meaning behind a beloved lunchbox—what it says about family, history, and self. These stories, while still unpublished, reflect my belief that food literacy is not just academic or behavioral—it’s cultural, emotional, and social. And it starts early.
At the same time, I’m engaging with food and beverage companies that are rethinking how they communicate with the public—not only what’s in their products, but where they come from and what stories they tell. There is real potential for brands to support early food education in ways that are ethical, creative, and community-centered. That might look like partnering on storytelling-based campaigns, offering in-store demos with context and culture, or simply learning how their product fits into someone’s lived experience.
These are the kinds of conversations I’m having this summer—with educators and program directors, yes, but also with food vendors and storytellers who see value in something more enduring than a shelf presence.
If that resonates with your work—whether you’re part of a school, a nonprofit, or a food company—I’d love to connect.
Let’s keep building a food system where children don’t just eat well, but grow up understanding the richness of what food represents.
Cheers! Jasmin
Reference:
Garcia, A. L., Reardon, R., McDonald, M., & Vargas-Garcia, E. J. (2024). Grow. Prepare. Eat: Lessons learned from a summer virtual food literacy program. School Nutrition Association Journal, Spring 2024. Retrieved from https://schoolnutrition.org/journal/spring-2024-grow-prepare-eat-lessons-learned-from-a-summer-virtual-food-literacy-program