The Sourdough School Diploma is more than a program – what we teach is about empowerment . We are a community and we provide tools and knowledge that enable individuals to take charge of their health and the health of their communities through the simple yet transformative act of baking.
Here’s how:
- Self-Efficacy: By teaching participants the art of baking as a form of lifestyle medicine, BALM enhances peoples confidence in their ability to manage their own health and well-being. This can be a powerful motivator and a catalyst for sustained lifestyle changes.
- Knowledge Sharing: The program encourages participants to share their newfound knowledge with their communities, spreading the benefits of great bread far beyond the individual participant. This fosters a sense of purpose and contribution, which can be deeply empowering.
- Community Building: Baking and sharing bread can help create and strengthen social bonds, fostering supportive communities that can collectively work towards better health outcomes.
- System Disruption: BALM empowers participants to challenge and disrupt unhealthy food systems by choosing to bake nutritious bread and sharing these healthier alternatives with others.
Our awards reflect this empowerment ethos. They aren’t simply financial aids; they’re recognition of the potential within each recipient to create meaningful change. They provide resources to those who may otherwise be unable to access this transformative education due to financial constraints. By removing this barrier, the awards empower recipients to take control of their health, become knowledgeable advocates for healthier lifestyles, and contribute positively to their communities.
In short, our awards which are supported by amazing bakers like Adam Pagor at Grain and Hearth Bakery, are about empowering individuals to become agents of change in their own lives and in their communities, using the power of baking as a catalyst for healthier lifestyles and systems
