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 85,000 school children how to bake bread. In turn, they've shared this bread with shelters for the homeless and local food kitchens.

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?

• Enthusiastically supports and promotes the King Arthur Flour Life Skills Bread Baking Program
• Coordinates the assembly arrangements and set up
• Notifies parents and the community about the Life Skills Bread Baking Program
• Selects students to assist the instructor before, during, and after the presentation
• Assists the instructor with set up and clean up
• Distributes ingredients and materials to students for bread baking at home
• 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.

You can also download an application for our Life Skills Bread Baking Program, and our Basic Bread Recipe.

Meet our instructor: Paula Gray

Paula Gray is an accomplished culinary instructor and is the chief Life Skills Bread Baking Program instructor for the King Arthur Flour Company in Norwich, Vermont.

Paula has worn an educator’s hat for over 20 years. Starting as an elementary school teacher, she has been an educator in food cooperatives, community theaters, fitness centers and museums. Paula has also worked as a baker at a Vermont farm and run her own catering business. Most recently, she was the Food Programs Coordinator at the Co-op Food Stores in Hanover, N.H., where she taught cooking classes covering a wide range of topics to hundreds of customers, employees and the community at large. Raised in Ohio, Paula began baking bread with her Italian grandmother. With the help of 50-pound bags of flour, a large metal baby bathtub, and a special blanket to help the dough rise, Paula and her grandmother spent time baking many, many loaves of bread together.

Paula lives in Thetford, Vermont, and when she is not baking bread with King Arthur Flour, she spends her time running, cycling, and enjoying her family.