Nearly two dozen youth from across the state joined together on Zoom for "Bake for Good" this month. The hands-on program blended baking, community and kindness and was put on through a partnership between King Arthur Baking Company and Vermont 4-H.

On May 19, King Arthur baker Amy Driscoll led 22 fourth-through-seventh graders — some new to 4-H, some returning members — in learning about the science and art of breadmaking with yeast from their own kitchens. Each participant baked two loaves: one to keep, and one to share with a friend, neighbor, family member, or someone in need as an act of kindness.

Two vertical photos side by side, one of a young person with an adult holding a bag of bread. The second photo shows the same young person rolling out bread.
Bake for Good has two main steps: bake at home, then share some bread. Photos provided by Vermont 4-H. 

To get things started, everyone received a Bake for Good tote bag with a bread scraper, flour, yeast, bread bags, and recipe book. Participants from different corners of the state could then connect virtually to ask questions and troubleshoot recipes together from the comfort of their own kitchens.

At the end of the program, youth provided photos of the finished bread products, from cinnamon rolls to braided loafs. And they wrote reflections about who they shared the bread with, and why. Participants delivered loaves to neighbors, teachers, classmates and friends, listing as reasons "because they are nice" and because they "are going through a hard time."

A top-down view of frosted cinnamon rolls.
Youth bakers made everything from cinnamon rolls to braided loaves during the Bake for Good program. Photo provided by Vermont 4-H. 

The young bakers also described what they learned from the program, like kneading, and like realizing making bread wasn't as difficult as they thought. They also explained how it felt good to do something for others, and that their favorite part of the process was ...eating!

4‑H is grateful for the partnership with Vermont-based King Arthur Baking Company. Through this program, youth learned baking skills while building a sense of community, and perhaps they will even be inspired to enter their bread recipes in their local fair. The opportunities to break bread are endless!

A young person at a kitchen counter with their hands on bread dough
Through its virtual format, Bake for Good participants learned about the science and art of breadmaking with yeast from their own kitchens. Photo provided by 4-H.