The prevalence of obesity and diet-related illnesses, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers, have been increasing steadily worldwide.  According to the National Institute of Health, eating (and preparing) home cooked meals more frequently was associated with better dietary quality.   To help encourage this behavior, the Clinton County Nutrition Education SNAP-Ed Program Assistant partnered with the Albany Elementary Family Resource Center to offer a hands-on, family focused program called Cook Together Eat Together: Families in the Kitchen.  This program focused on basic cooking skills and simple recipes to encourage families to work together in the kitchen to create tasty, nutritious meals at home.   A total of 8 families (40 individuals) participated in the 7-week program.  Throughout those 7 weeks, the families learned a variety of cooking techniques and various ways to incorporate fruits and vegetables into their diets. Families gained confidence in the kitchen and a renewed passion to prepare more meals at home.

 As a result of the program, 88% of participants cook dinner at home more times per week.  Moreover, over 75% of participants improved their daily fruit and vegetable consumption.    One mother stated how she had forgotten how much she loved to cook since she hadn’t done much since her kids were born.  Another mom stated, “These recipes are so easy, and my kids really like them!   I didn’t know it could be this easy to put something so healthy on the table.”   Another family used this program as an opportunity to spend time together as a family as a mini vacation since their finances had became extremely tight and were unable to go anywhere together over the past year.