The Lawrence County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) Senior Assistant along with the 4-H Youth Development agent and Family and Consumer Science agent partnered to teach Teen Cuisine with the Lawrence County High School Family and Consumer Sciences culinary class. Teen Cuisine is designed to teach youth from grades 6 to 12 important life skills to promote optimal health – both in the present and in the future. The curriculum addresses key concepts about nutrition, food preparation and cooking, food safety, and physical activity using approaches and strategies that enhance learning and behavior change among teens. In Kentucky, 23.8% of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity, giving Kentucky a ranking of 1 among the 50 states and D.C. (stateofchildhoodobesity.org). 

There was a total of nine (9) students participating in Teen Cuisine.  The students’ favorite part of the classes was the hands-on food preparation and cooking skills.  Students also enjoyed learning new ways to chop, slice and dice vegetables.  Class evaluations showed the following results: 100% of youth improved diet quality practices; 56% of youth improved food practices related to handling food safely; and 89% improved physical activity.