At first glance, the focus on seasonality and sustainability might suggest a lesson in environment or biology. And while that’s part of it, we believe it’s just the beginning. For us, local and seasonal food is not only about supporting farmers or reducing carbon footprints—it’s an invitation into awareness, creativity, and connection.

Through our thoughtfully designed placemat worksheets, we create space at the table—literally—for exploration. What can we create with what’s right in front of us? How do we make choices when options are finite? What does it mean to be part of a system—of soil, of culture, of community?

These are not abstract questions for the classroom—they’re real, lived questions for the dinner table. For kids, this simple act of engaging with local food through drawing, reflecting, or imagining becomes a moment of self-discovery. It draws out uniqueness, sparks curiosity, and honors the power of their perspective.

Offered in 22 restaurants across the city and made possible by the support of Lurie Children’s Hospital and Boelter, Placemats with Purpose is not just a tool. It’s a movement. One that redefines nourishment as something that feeds the soul as well as the body—and reminds us that sitting at a table, in community, can plant the seeds of something far greater.