Little Bird Productions & Cocina Uccellino
Little Bird Productions is a grassroots storytelling organization that gives voice to the people, traditions, and rural communities shaping our food culture. With a spirit of stewardship and purpose, we share the stories of farmers, regenerative practices, home cooks, and chefs whose creativity reflects the abundance they’ve been entrusted with. Through the lens of gastronomy—the art and culture of food—we celebrate the blessings of land, harvest, and human talent. Our mission is to uplift voices, build community, and inspire unity through the culture of food.
Interns may film at farms, restaurants, community kitchens, or home kitchens. Each site will be reviewed in advance, and details provided to CSUSM before filming. Security: Restaurants and community kitchens provide professional, regulated environments. Farms are supervised by staff, and students will remain in designated areas. Home kitchens will only be used if appropriate and approved. Criminal Activity: No known history of criminal activity is associated with anticipated sites. Locations will be vetted for safety prior to scheduling. Parking Security: Parking varies by site. Restaurants generally have public, lighted lots; farms provide designated areas; and home kitchens will offer driveway or street parking. Students will be advised to travel in pairs or groups. Additional Safety: All students will be supervised by CSUSM faculty and Little Bird Productions staff. Location-specific safety requirements will be requested in advance and reviewed with students.
Because filming locations will vary, conditions may change depending on the site. At farms, students may encounter uneven terrain, weather exposure, or proximity to animals and equipment (students will not operate machinery). Restaurants and community kitchens are generally ADA compliant, but home kitchens may have limited accessibility. Locations will be reviewed in advance, and if any site does not meet CSUSM guidelines, an alternate will be chosen. Students may also encounter food allergens (nuts, dairy, wheat, etc.); accommodations will be made when possible. Transportation to off-campus sites is required, and students will be encouraged to travel in pairs or groups. Handwashing and hygiene practices will be followed at each location, and all site-specific safety rules will be communicated before filming. Students will always be supervised by CSUSM faculty and Little Bird Productions staff during activities.
- TB Test
Days/Times Students Can Be On-Site As a mobile and field-based learning program, our “on-site” experiences take place in community settings such as local farms, restaurants, community kitchens, and chef’s home kitchens. Because of this, hours are flexible and scheduled according to the needs of the location and instructor availability. Typical programming may occur on weekdays, evenings, or weekends to accommodate both students and collaborating chefs/farmers. Additional Information Our model allows us to bring students directly into real-world environments, providing hands-on learning at the source of food production and preparation. This flexibility ensures authentic farm-to-table education while supporting the schedules of working farmers, chefs, and community members.