The Chicago Chapter has adopted a food literacy program that will include both cooking and gardening components to educate and inspire the large and diverse group of children who are members of the Robert R. McCormick Boys & Girls Club of Chicago.

Every other Wednesday, through November, Dames will hold simple demonstrations, tastings and occasionally incorporate field trips/tours to involve 8 to 12 year-olds in the food and cooking part of the program. And hopefully, with more funding, the program will expand into hands on-cooking classes and more field trips.

Alternating Wednesdays are reserved for gardening, and Dames will help at the gardening classes and assist with field trips to other gardens and farms. The Dames have also contracted with The Organic Gardener, who will come to the Club to provide expertise and guidance. Part of the program will be at least 5 trips to the Green City Market and the Edible Garden at Farm in the Zoo.

Dame Karen Levin is responsible for this Green Tables Initiative community service project and will coordinate member participation. Dame Mary Abbott Hess and Dame Sharon Olson are the project coordinators and will plan the curriculum. This Chicago Les Dames supported program will be a prominent feature of the McCormick Boys & Girls Club website. 

Dames Hess and Olson report, “It is our hope that every chapter member will participate in the Green Tables Initiative in some way: teach or help teach a food or cooking class, plan a lesson or tasting, host or help chaperone a tour or field trip, work with the kids in the garden, or donate funds to support the program. Community service is a vital part of Les Dames’ mission, and contributing to the Boys & Girls Club will be an excellent opportunity to do that with panache.”