The Bracken County Family and Consumer Science Agent offered the Recipes for Life program to Bracken County 5^th graders for the first time in 2022.  The FCS Agent collaborated with 2 administrators, 5 teachers from Taylor Elementary and Augusta Independent School, 10 volunteers and 115 students.  The program was held for 5 days at the Extension Office with a new class coming each day.  

A pre/posttest was given to determine learning outcomes.  As a result from the program students gained knowledge and skills during the program in many different areas including proper handwashing, knife safety, kitchen safety, cross contamination, how to read a recipe, how to double a recipe, meal time management skills, manners, the proper way to measure dry and wet ingredients, and MyPlate.

At the end of the program students reported:

100% of the students reported the correct amount of time to wash their hands

78% of the students reported knowledge gained about cross contamination

97% of the students reported knowledge of kitchen safety when cooking on the stove

90% of the students reported knowledge gained regarding knife safety

88% of the students reported knowledge gained regarding proper measure techniques

94% of the students could identify all 5 food groups on MyPlate

91% of the students could identify the proper time management when planning a meal

90% of the students reported they would plan to eat more fruits

75% of the students reported they would plan to eat more vegetables

80% of the students reported they would plan to try new foods

The program was well received by the students.  One student said, “This is the best field trip ever”.  One student went home a prepared the Broccoli Spoonbread for his family that night.  Teachers, Administrators, Volunteers, and parents had nothing but positive comments to say about the program.  Each day the students were excited from what they had heard from the previous class.  When asked at the end of the program each day over 50% of the students reported they tried something new and liked it.  The most popular was the Banana Pudding.