In our increasingly interconnected world, young people must acquire the knowledge and skills to engage effectively. Local economies now rely more than ever on international resources, and those who thrive in this interconnected economy are adaptable individuals who embrace multiculturalism. Passport Kitchen is a program designed to help young people take their first steps in developing these skills. It not only promotes family mealtime but also fosters life readiness skills. 

For five months, educational packets were created to explore each country’s culture through an interest in foods. Each packet contained information about the country, some common phrases to learn in the native language, a recipe, a food item, and a link to a video for a cook-a-long video. This experience was designed to be a self-paced “family in the kitchen” experience. The program was featured on the front page of our local newspaper. One family was 3 generations of males all learning to cook together each month. 

Ten young people in Hancock County 4-H participated this year, learning about Ireland, Japan, Nigeria, Ojibwe, and Poland.  After completing the program, the results of an online survey indicated 78% of youth reported participating in a multigenerational format, 65% demonstrated a skill they had learned, and 89% could identify positive aspects of cultures beyond their own.