Any individual with a dietary difference or parent of a kiddo with a food allergy knows all too well that sometimes when well-meaning people try to accommodate them, they end up separating them from others. This might look like a child allergic to peanuts being seated all alone during lunch to keep them separate from kids who might be eating peanut butter and jelly or something similar. Or maybe a kid doesn’t get as much to eat during a school outing because their options are limited compared to the rest of the group.

Erin Fletter, the founder and CEO of Sticky Fingers Cooking, couldn’t imagine sending her oldest daughter to any cooking classes after a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. As she explored ways to create a children’s cooking school that would keep her child healthy, safe, and fully engaged with her peers, she realized her family was hardly alone with such challenges.

What Inclusivity Can Look Like

In another article we got into the details of allergy awareness in the Sticky Fingers Cooking after-school enrichment programs. There are some foods that are considered common allergens such as wheat and tree nuts, and then there are sometimes those surprises like a pomegranate or corn allergy.

Every Sticky Fingers Cooking recipe and class is inclusive because these food allergens have been factored in. The company’s proprietary software, The Dash®, was built with the goal of keeping kids healthy and safe so when a parent signs up for a class on the website, they answer detailed questions about their child’s food allergies, social emotional needs, and other considerations so they can be accommodated. 

In each recipe there are “food allergen substitutions” suggested, such as olive oil for sesame oil or coconut aminos for soy sauce, so that everyone can experience tasting new flavors with their friends.

Inclusivity also extends to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as physical differences. Victoria Jones, our franchise owner in San Diego, is mom of two daughters and one of them is a wheelchair user. This difference hasn’t impeded her love of cooking with her mom and trying new recipes together though.

At Sticky Fingers Cooking, we believe that everyone should have not just the ability to cook nutritious food for themselves and others, but have the right to do so no matter what their challenges.

Being an Inclusive Business Owner

Every Sticky Fingers Cooking franchise owner will be supported in their efforts to include students of all abilities in their classes. As the company grew in Denver, we gained experience in serving children of varying skills, interests, and challenges. Thanks to this history, we can offer guidance to those who are new to the business.

What we discovered is that when you include everyone in your community—whether that’s your school district, neighborhood, or city—it attracts more people to your offerings and organically helps to build your business.

If a home based business with an education franchise that is inclusive for all customers appeals to you, get in touch. Go to the “Inquire” button on our website and tell us about you today!