In this episode of All in Good Taste, Aidan visits the Academy for Global Citizenship on Chicago’s southwest side, a public school reimagining what education can look like when food, sustainability, wellness, and community are placed at the center of the student experience. Founder Sarah Elizabeth shares the story behind AGC’s mission to reimagine education and build a campus rooted in global citizenship, environmental sustainability, and whole-child wellness. From learning villages and classroom kitchens to a fresh food marketplace, community love fridge, apiary, gardens, and a working farm, AGC is more than a school — it is a living wellness ecosystem. The episode also features conversations with Health & Wellness Teacher Bryan Soto, Culinary Director Stacey Whitney, and Cultivate Collective Managing Director Kris De la Torre, each offering a deeper look at how students connect with food, nature, gratitude, and community every day. Featured GuestsSarah ElizabethFounder, Academy for Global CitizenshipSarah shares the origin story of AGC, the years-long journey to get the school approved, and the vision behind building a 6.5-acre sustainable campus designed to serve students, families, and the broader community. Bryan SotoHealth & Wellness TeacherBryan talks about teaching wellness, kitchen skills, gratitude, and food curiosity to students as young as three. He also shares the story of AGC’s now-famous Mushroom Club, which grew from a classroom lesson into a school-wide movement. Stacey WhitneyCulinary DirectorStacey explains why food is fundamental to learning and how her team feeds hundreds of students each day with a scratch-made, mostly plant-based menu rooted in care, nutrition, and joy. Kris De la TorreManaging Director, Cultivate CollectiveKris walks through the farm program, food access work, community gardens, and the importance of helping students build a lasting relationship with the natural world. Key ThemesReimagining EducationAGC is built on the belief that education should prepare students not only academically, but socially, emotionally, physically, and environmentally. Food as a Foundation for LearningThe school’s culinary program shows that well-fed students are better prepared to learn, connect, and thrive.Farm-to-School in Real TimeStudents see where their food comes from, help grow it, learn from it, and then eat it in their daily meals. Wellness as CultureFrom gratitude rituals before lunch to wellness lessons and classroom kitchens, AGC makes health and well-being part of the daily rhythm of school life. Community Beyond the ClassroomWith Little Leaf Market, a solar-powered community love fridge, community gardens, wellness spaces, and food access programs, AGC serves as a hub for families and neighbors. Sustainability Students Can FeelAGC is home to Illinois’ first net-positive energy and net-positive water campus, making sustainability something students experience firsthand. Episode TakeawayAt its heart, this episode is about what happens when a school chooses to care for the whole child. AGC shows that food, wellness, sustainability, and community are not extras — they are essential parts of education. When students understand where their food comes from, feel connected to nature, and experience care in their daily meals, those lessons ripple far beyond the classroom. #education #publicschoolsystem #schoollunch #urbanfarming #foodeducation #sustainability y#chicago #teaching #healthykids Future of EducationInnovative SchoolsPublic School InnovationHealthy School LunchSchool GardenFarm to SchoolSustainable SchoolsSchool Food ProgramUrban FarmingAlternative EducationTeaching Kids About FoodWhole Child EducationEducation DocumentaryChicago Public SchoolsHealthy Eating for Kids
