In order to support public libraries around the state who would like to provide food literacy programs but do not have a kitchen space or materials, the State Library purchased a Charlie Cart mobile kitchen unit, a fully contained classroom kitchen that can be moved to different locations. The contents are detailed below. We also provide several Kitchen in a Box kits that contain many of the same items as the Charlie Cart, but are smaller and more transportable. The kits can be reserved through the circulating kits page or by contacting one of the SC Read Eat Grow team members.
To see State Library staff cooking with the Charlie Cart and several of the kits, check out the SC Read Eat Grow playlist on our YouTube Channel: Read Eat Grow on YouTube
If you are interested in scheduling a demonstration for library staff with a SC State Library staff member, or if you would like to reserve the Charlie Cart or a Kitchen in a Box for your Library to demo for patrons, please contact a member of the SC Read Eat Grow team.
If you would like more information on purchasing a Charlie Cart of your own, please visit: http://charliecart.org/#purchase
In the Mobile Kitchen:
The Curriculum includes:
It is important to know that the Charlie Cart weighs over 300 pounds and needs room to maneuver. If you have small walkways and tight corners, you may want to consider using a Kitchen in a Box Kit instead.
The Kitchen in a box contains common kitchen tools and appliances for a public library program. These were modeled on kits that the Culinary Literacy Center at the Philadelphia Free Library built for their branch libraries to utilize.
