Youth gain life skills in the kitchen with Super Star Chef camp

The problem

The Kentucky youth advocates publication Kentucky Kids Count latest 2020 data for children living in food insecure households showed the State of Kentucky’s rate for food insecure households is 16.1% compared to Spencer County’s rate is 8.4%. Spencer County has limited access to fresh food resources and public transportation. There is only one grocery store and several small store dollar stores in Spencer County. Issues such as these are barriers to healthy lifestyle choices related to nutrition and physical activity. Spencer County Extension Services sent Super Star Chef flyers to families in the Spencer County Schools Backpack Buddy program to encourage children to enroll in camp.

The educational program response

During the Summer, when schools are closed, as a strategy to improve healthy nutrition and physical activity with underserved children in Spencer County, the Spencer County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent implemented the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service’s Super Star Chef camp. It was a free three-day program; no previous cooking skills were required.

The participants/target audience

During the camp, youths aged 9 to 12 gained firsthand cooking experience. Participants were introduced: to new foods and recipes as they prepared healthy dishes like Fiesta Salsa, Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits, Easy Whole-Wheat Pizza, and Carrot Muffins.

Other partners (if applicable) 

Spencer County Schools Family Resource implemented a backpack program that has created a way for the schools to help bridge the problem of food insecurity these children face at home.

Program impact or participant response

Some participants just wanted to learn how to make an afterschool snack, while others may dream of having a cooking show. Every participant was encouraged to sample all the recipes they prepared and to continue using their new cooking skills at home. Each camper had opportunities to try fresh fruits and vegetables and participate in the cooking process. Through this program, participants worked on improving healthy lifestyle choices. Twenty children participated in this program. As a result, 99 % of youth reported they learned how to read a recipe, 95% of youth learned how to read a nutrition label, 100% of youth are able to use simple microwave cooking techniques in their home, 96 % of youth reported learning food safety techniques, and 98% youth reported being able to properly and safely use a plastic knife. Regarding physical activity, 100% of youth said they exercise at least one hour a day. In addition to individual behavior change, 100% of youth reported having new opportunities to try nutritious foods, and 100% of youth their families wanted to try recipes learned from Super Star Chef at home. After the program, the youth participants shared with staff that they had fun, made new friends, and signed up for other extension programs. Some youth expressed interest in entering a project into the Spencer County Fair. Parents discussed with Family Consumer Sciences Agent how excited they were that their children learned kitchen and nutrition life skills and assisted in preparing healthy meals at home.