History

In 2015, recognizing the unmet need for fun educational programming that teaches kids where food comes from and fosters healthy eating habits, TasteWise Kids took over the operation of the Days of Taste program. Building on the very important work that had already been started, we continue with a goal of expanding programming to additional audiences in new formats in the future.

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1995

The American Institute of Wine and Food, a national 501c3, launches the Days of Taste program in New York City.

1998

The Baltimore American Institute of Wine and Food chapter starts the Days of Taste program in Baltimore with 1 school.

2009

The Days of Taste program expands to Howard County, through a grant from the Horizon Foundation.

Summer 2010

The Days of Taste program is invited to the celebration of the launch of Michelle Obama's "Chefs Moves to School" initiative - part of her "Let's Move" campaign, along with over 700 chefs from around the country, all enthusiastic to propel a movement to encourage chefs to work with kids and encourage healthy eating. 

Fall 2010

Farm to Chef, an annual fundraiser pairing local chefs and farms in a friendly competition begins, providing the Days of Taste program with an additional revenue source and regional visibility.

2011

The Days of Taste program has grown to serve 1,600 students in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County.

2014

The Salad Kit Extension program launches, allowing students that have completed the Days of Taste program to extend learning to their families.

Spring 2015

The Days of Taste program expands to Harford County, via the help of Healthy Harford, an organization dedicated to healthy living in the area.

Fall 2015

The Adopt-a-School sponsorship model starts, allowing philanthropic minded organizations to fund the Days of Taste program at a school in their community, sometimes providing corporate volunteers in the classroom and on the farm as well.

Winter 2015

With a mission to inspire kids to experience and explore the world of food and its sources, TasteWise Kids is established in Maryland to run the Days of Taste program, with plans to offer additional food education opportunities to diverse audiences in the future.

2016

TasteWise Kids provides the Days of Taste program to over 3,100 students in the Baltimore area.

2018

TasteWise Kids continues to expand reach, providing the Days of Taste program to over 3,400 students in the greater Baltimore region.

2019

To fill the need for stand alone food education experiences outside of the Days of Taste model, TasteWise Kids pilots one-day workshops.

2020

In response to the worldwide COVID pandemic and school closures, TasteWise Kids launches Days of Taste all-virtual programming as well as TasteWise Kids at Home.