Summer Exploration Program

Join the Food Bank this summer! Through diverse activities, students will enhance essential workplace skills such as teamwork, responsibility, following instructions, and time management. Exposure to different environments—including kitchens, pantries, and farms—will broaden their understanding of potential career pathways.

A look at the summer:

• Hands-on culinary experience: Students will gain introductory kitchen skills, including baking, kitchen safety, and sanitation. Practical activities will help build confidence in handling kitchen tools and maintaining a clean and organized workspace.

• Community engagement through volunteer work: Students will participate in meaningful activities in our Volunteer Room and Healthy Pantry Center. Tasks include packing meal boxes and backpack meal kits for school-age children, sorting donations, stocking pantry shelves, and assisting customers/visitors.

• Agricultural learning at the Food Bank Farm/Garden: Students will visit the farm (Newark) or garden (Milford) to engage in hands-on agricultural activities such as prepping and planting crops, maintaining farm beds, and weeding designated areas. They will also participate in harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables, learning about seasonal crops and sustainable farming practices.

• Farm-to-Table Nutrition Education: The Nutrition Education Team will lead cooking demonstrations using the fresh produce harvested by students. These sessions will highlight the importance of healthy eating, food preparation skills, and the connection between farm-fresh ingredients and nutritious meals.

Dates: 
June 15 – July 3
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Where:
Food Bank of Delaware in Newark and Milford

Qualifications:
Students 16-22 years old with a documented disability