Empowering Students Through Hands-On Food Literacy
A series of interactive workshops designed to promote nutrition, healthy eating, and sustainability in your school.
Supporting EcoSchools & Wellness Initiatives
Building healthy communities through experiential food education.
What is the COOKSMART Lab?
The COOKSMART Lab is a comprehensive series of workshops designed to actively promote nutrition and healthy eating habits within your school.
We go beyond traditional lectures by immersing students in the complete food cycle. Through structured seasonal campaigns, we tackle healthy eating basics, essential food literacy, healthy hydration, waste-free healthy lunches, and eco-foods.
The goal? To establish student leadership teams in the Fall who are trained and empowered to champion these programs throughout the entire school year.
The Three Pillars of the Lab
We combine culinary skills, nutritional knowledge, and environmental stewardship.
EAT SMART
Hands-on Cooking
Building fundamental kitchen skills, confidence, and food literacy through active, safe preparation of nutritious meals and snacks.
CHOOSE SMART
Nutrition & Healthy Eating
Educating students on healthy eating basics, the importance of hydration, and making balanced choices for lifelong wellbeing.
GROW SMART
Growing Food & Sustainability
Connecting students to local eco-foods, understanding food systems, and promoting practices like waste-free lunches.
What To Expect Across The School Year
We run structured, engaging campaigns throughout the entire school year.
Fall (Sept/Oct): The Setup
The region sets up student leadership teams and trains them on healthy eating basics and food literacy so they can run programs throughout the year.
Oct/Nov: CS Activations
COOKSMART arrives to deliver the hands-on activation programs, getting everyone excited, engaged, and ready to champion the initiatives.
Nov, Winter & Spring: Campaigns
Student leaders drive targeted, school-wide campaigns focusing on healthy hydration, waste-free healthy lunches, and eco-foods.
Turn-Key Implementation
We bring the equipment, the ingredients, and the certified facilitators. To ensure a smooth launch, we just need:
- School timetable & participant headcount
- List of students with food allergies
- An accessible space (classroom, gym, or outdoors)
Pro Tip: Maximize impact by utilizing our provided Pre & Post Lab Activities in the classroom to reinforce concepts!
Seamless School-Wide Rotation
See exactly how our mobile team manages the flow of the day for your students and teachers.
Our Team Arrives & Sets Up
The COOKSMART team arrives early to transform your designated spaces (Gym, Library, Classroom) into fully-equipped, safe learning stations. We handle all ingredients, kid-safe tools, induction cooktops, and portable hand-washing stations so school staff have zero setup duty.
First Rotation Begins
Classes arrive at their designated starting stations. Our certified instructors take the lead, introducing safety rules, knife skills, and guiding students through hands-on food preparation and tasting. Teachers simply observe, encourage, and enjoy seeing their students actively engaged.
Sanitization & Station Reset
While students are outside or on their morning nutrition break, our team rapidly sanitizes all workstations, washes utensils, and portions out fresh, allergy-safe ingredients for the next rotation. There is zero disruption to your school schedule.
Second Rotation
The next cohort of classes rotates into the stations. Depending on your school's schedule, this may be a fresh grade cohort or existing classes transitioning to their next workshop pillar (Eat Smart, Choose Smart, or Grow Smart).
Major Midday Reset & Restock
A full system reset during the school lunch period. Stations are deep-cleaned, washed, and restocked with freshly prepped ingredients, compost is sealed, and tools are prepped for the afternoon classes.
Final Rotation
The afternoon block wraps up the experiential cycle for the day's final participating groups, ensuring each student completes their hands-on culinary literacy activities, sampling, and take-home learnings before dismissal.
Pack Down & Deep Clean
We leave your school facilities spotless. All mobile induction equipment, tools, organic compost, and waste are packed out directly by the COOKSMART facilitation team, leaving the gym or classroom ready for regular after-school use.
Aligned With EcoSchools Initiatives
COOKSMART programs are explicitly designed to complement and support school sustainability goals.
Our workshops help schools reinforce themes actively connected to environmental stewardship, waste reduction, local food systems, and healthy school certifications.
Learn About EcoSchools CanadaProgram Pillars Supported:
Disclaimer: COOKSMART is an independent educational provider and is not affiliated with or endorsed by EcoSchools Canada. We exist to provide hands-on programming that helps schools achieve their independent sustainability goals.
Trusted Across Ontario
Partnering with school boards and community organizations to deliver safe, compliant, and impactful experiential learning.
“The team were all warm and welcoming to our students and did a great job of engaging them in all of the workshops. The kids were so excited... and apparently LOVE salad now!!”
Kimberly Finger
Teacher Librarian / ESL / PT Teacher
Silver Creek Public School
Vendor Compliant
- $5M Commercial Liability
- Vulnerable Sector Checks
- Strict Nut-Free Protocols
- Certified Food Handlers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the COOKSMART Lab?
The COOKSMART Lab is a series of interactive workshops designed to promote nutrition, healthy eating, and sustainability in your school through hands-on experiences.
How does the program structure work over the year?
The region establishes student leadership teams in the Fall (Sept/Oct). COOKSMART then delivers activation programs in Oct/Nov, followed by targeted student-led campaigns throughout November, Winter, and Spring focusing on healthy hydration, waste-free lunches, and eco-foods.
What are the core offerings?
Our programs center around three pillars: EAT SMART (Hands-on Cooking), CHOOSE SMART (Nutrition & Healthy Eating), and GROW SMART (Growing Food & Sustainability).
Do teachers need to prep or facilitate the stations?
No. COOKSMART provides certified facilitators. Teachers simply supervise their class as they actively engage in the experience.
How do you handle severe allergies?
Our mobile kitchens are strictly nut-free. We coordinate with school administration beforehand to safely accommodate specific student IEPs and severe dietary restrictions.