Life Skills Bread Baking Program^®

Do you have a 4th thru 7th grade student at home? If you live in the Midwest or Northeast, an instructor from King Arthur Flour can visit your child’s school and teach the students how to bake bread and the importance of giving back to the community in the highly praised Life Skills Bread Baking Program^®.

Baking is a great hands-on way for kids to learn math, science, and cultural traditions, all while having fun. Through our Life Skills Bread Baking Program, King Arthur Flour has taught more than 100,000 school children how to bake bread. In turn, they’ve shared this bread with social service organizations in the community.

How does the program work?

King Arthur Flour provides the Life Skills Bread Baking Program free of charge to schools in the Northeast and Midwest regions. We present one or more 50-minute assemblies for students - a fun combination of baking science, technique and bread-making know-how - and provide everything necessary for each student to make two loaves of bread at home: all-purpose and white whole wheat flour, yeast, a recipe booklet, and even bread bags and twist ties! Students keep one loaf to enjoy at home and bring the other back to school to donate to a community organization chosen by your school.

The King Arthur Flour Life Skills Bread Baking Program is available during the school year to student populations of at least 200 in grades 4-7. Educators who can enthusiastically support the purpose and benefits of the program for their students and the community are welcome to apply.

What does the school do?

1. Enthusiastically supports and promotes the King Arthur Flour Life Skills Bread Baking Program
2. Coordinates the assembly arrangements and set up
3. Notifies parents and the community about the Life Skills Bread Baking Program
4. Selects students to assist the instructor before, during, and after the presentation
5. Assists the instructor with set up and clean up
6. Distributes ingredients and materials to students for bread baking at home
7. Designates a local organization to receive the bread donations and coordinates bread delivery

What are people saying about the King Arthur Flour Life Skills Bread Baking Program?

“I can’t say thank-you enough to everyone involved with the bread-making assignment. I had one of the best days I’ve had in a long time with my sixth-grade son. He was so confident in every step. There is so much that happens when a parent and child create something together. I was able to share some wonderful memories with him that I had forgotten about. I think our bread came out tasty and the whole experience was delicious.”

M.M., Parent Manchester, N.H.

“Thank you so much for coming. You were wonderful - a combination of zest, humor, and food science. Many kids and adults said they really enjoyed it and want to make bread baking a habit. What could be better than that? King Arthur Flour provides a great service by coming into schools and providing this wonderful opportunity.”

S. O’Brien, Teacher Bellows Free Academy Fairfax, Vermont

“King Arthur Flour’s demonstrating techniques are an example of the best food presentation. Thank you on behalf of the entire community. Your company gave us all a great experience.”

H.B. Demeer, Principal Cromwell Middle School Cromwell, CT

How can I get more information?

To find out how to get your school involved, call Julie Christopher at 802.526.1833, or send an email to julie.christopher@kingarthurflour.com.

• Download an application for our Life Skills Bread Baking Program
• Download the Life Skills Manual
• Download Basic Bread Recipe

Meet our instructors:

Paula Gray

Paula Gray is the Senior Life Skills Bread Baking Program Instructor for the King Arthur Flour Company in Norwich, Vermont.

Wearing an educator's hat for many years, Paula started as an elementary school teacher. She has taught in food cooperatives, community theaters, and museums, and has instructed food and cooking classes covering a wide range of topics to hundreds of customers, college and hospital employees, students, and the community at large. Paula has also worked as a baker at a Vermont farm, started and managed her own catering business, and run a successful dance fitness center.

Raised in Ohio, Paula began baking bread with her Italian grandmother, using 50-pound bags of flour, a large metal baby bathtub, and a special blanket to help the dough rise.

Paula lives in Thetford, Vermont, and when she is not baking bread with King Arthur Flour, spends her time cycling, reading, preparing extremely large salads, and searching for the best soft serve ice cream.

Kerry Pollner

Kerry Pollner is an Assistant Manager, The Baker’s Store and Life Skills Bread Baking Program Instructor for the King Arthur Flour Company in Norwich, Vermont.

Baking and educating have been important parts of Kerry’s life for years. As a student studying biology in college, Kerry frequently baked handmade breads and even some gluten-free recipes for her house full of friends. Her teaching experience includes working as a substitute teacher in Texas and for many years as a camp counselor in Maine, as well as volunteering for the Environmental Learning for the Future program at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science.

Kerry joined the King Arthur Flour family in 2007, working both as a member of the customer service team and in The Baker’s Store, where she continues to serve as a Team Leader. As a Life Skills Instructor, Kerry teaches primarily in New England schools.

Kerry lives nearby in New Hampshire, and when she’s not on the road with King Arthur Flour she enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with family.