Eating more fruits and vegetables is a critical behavior for health promotion and disease prevention. Despite the importance of eating more produce, it is also one of the most difficult eating behaviors to change. It has been reported that cooking more meals at home is related increased fruit and vegetable consumption. A social marketing program to promote healthier, home-cooked family meals, Cook Together, Eat Together, was offered virtually by the 4-H and FCS Educator in Pendleton County Cooperative Extension Office with 21 pairs of adult - youth participants. The participants consisted of families involved with Pendleton County 4-H and FCS programs.  

As a result of the program, 65% of participants reported eating more healthy foods such as whole fruits and/or brightly colored vegetables, while 72% prepared more healthy home­cooked meals. In addition, 60% adopted one or more practices to reduce food shopping cost associated with home-cooked meals such as comparing prices, planning meals, and making shopping lists.

Below is a personal story shared with us after the program.

“We loved the Cook Together Eat Together!! For starters, and maybe the most important to us, is it “forced” fun family time. We get into a tunnel of television, running businesses, social media, etc. so often through the week nights. We loved having one entire night spent in the kitchen learning a new skill! No phones, no tv. Just 4 generations cooking up a recipe. For me, as a very busy momma, I will admit, those classes helped me be a better mom. Not just by learning a new recipe for the family (by the way, the dumplin’ soup is still a requested meal!) but I bonded and shared experiences with my daughter, that I, sadly, wouldn’t normally have made time for (kitchen was usually a whip something up quick, except on Sundays) But since then, we have cooked many meals and baked treats in the kitchen together. The class also allowed us to try new techniques and foods. Since there were 4 generations in the kitchen, we all told stories about “oh this one time when me and my mom made this…”. Not to mention, the Kenna and Shelley did wonderful at educating us! Very organized might I add.

Over the long term, these cooking and eating behavior changes may lead to sustainable changes in cooking and eating norms in a community. As demonstrated by Cook Together, Eat Together, social marketing is a powerful tool to promote changes for the public good.