Charlie Cart

Nutrition Education

In 2018, Helena Food Share became one of the first food pantries in the nation to join the Charlie Cart Project through a grant from the City of Helena. Today, food education and the Charlie Cart are pillars of our nutrition initiative. The cart is an all-in-one kitchen on wheels with a full curriculum that includes classroom-tested recipes—connecting the dots between food, health, and the environment. Helena Food Share is part of the 260-program Charlie Cart network, including K-12 schools, universities, museums, hospitals, libraries, food pantries, and even farmer’s markets.

Customers, as you shop, enjoy food samples and take home recipes to recreate these delicious and healthy foods. We also invite you to share your comments.

Food demos take place each week at the Lewis Street Pantry, featuring affordable food found in the Pantry and Montana Harvest of the Month products. Winter/Spring Harvest of the Month items: January – Winter Squash, February – Beets, March – Grains, April– Beef/Bison, and May – Chickpeas/Lentils.

The Charlie Cart also travels to area schools with Harvest of the Month Coordinator Kim Lloyd from St. Peter’s Health. Kim teaches kids about food and has them help make recipes using the Harvest of the Month.

2025 Demonstrations:

The Charlie Cart is at home in the Market and will be serving up all kinds of good recipes from staff and local chefs. It will also continue its travels to classrooms around the School District. Kim Lloyd, Harvest of the Month Community Coordinator at St. Peter’s Health, will share recipes and samples for healthy eating with young students. The cart will also make its way back to the Pantry for several appearances this year.

• Demonstrations in the Grocery Share Market:
  • Feb 13: Beet Hummus
  • Feb 26: Beet Salad
• Winter/Spring 2025: Kim Lloyd from St. Peter’s Health will be sharing lessons and demos at the following elementary schools
  • Feb 18-21          Kessler
  • Feb 24-28          Rossiter
  • Mar 17-21          Warren
  • Mar 24-28          Broadwater
  • Apr 14-18           Bryant
  • Apr 21-25           Jefferson
  • Apr 28 – May 2    Hawthorne
  • May 19-23           Jim Darcy
  • May 27-30          Smith

View our Calendar for demo details and other events.