Cooking is a life skill.  The 21^st century after school program director in Metcalfe County would agree.  She has partnered with the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program) Program Assistant for several years to make sure this life skill gets taught to her students every school year.  This year proved more challenging as the rules changed regarding entering school buildings due to Covid threats.  To combat this issue, the SNAP Assistant and Program Director decided to pursue virtual programming.  The Family Resources Youth Service Center at the high school and middle school agreed to fund all ingredients to make the hands on cooking a reality for each class.   

Both the middle and high school wanted to be a part of cooking and nutrition classes.  Beginning in January, the SNAP Assistant used Teen Cuisine curriculum (which had been adapted for virtual delivery by the Nutrition Education Program at the state level) to teach the kids.  The SNAP Assistant was able to get 6 lessons in with each group.  Lesson topics included: basic food prep skills, how to eat healthier with my plate guidance, how to read a nutrition facts label, food safety, healthy snacks, and more.  After a quick lesson via powerpoint, the teachers and staff helped the students to prepare the recipe of the day.  The recipes provided in each lesson relate to the topic being presented each time.   

Data showed a lot of success with this virtual group.  Almost half the kids reporting eating more whole grains.  Their knowledge of food safety also increased.  Handwashing, washing fruits and vegetables before eating and putting foods back into the refrigerator promptly were some of the topics covered.  Post evaluations show an 88% increase in these food safety practices.  The kids were overall striving to eat healthier.   Out of the group of 14 kids in this group, almost 80 % of them reported eating more fruits and vegetables at the end of the program.