Describe the Issue or Situation. 

Many teenagers lack the essential cooking skills that are useful throughout their lives, including meal planning, food preparation, nutrition and kitchen safety. Demonstrations often focus on nutritious meals , teaching teens how to make healthy food choices and prepare balanced meals, promoting a long-term healthier lifestyle. Teens are more likely to try new foods and ingredients when they see how to prepare them. Cooking fosters creativity as teens experiment with different ingredients, flavors, and cooking techniques. Cooking can also be collaborative activity, encouraging teamwork , communication and problem solving when done in groups.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

The program was creating healthy smoothies with our nutrition bike. Teens were able to wash and cut ingredients while discussing  the nutritional benefits of all the fruit and vegetables while also going over the ingredients they haven't or are hesitant to try. Our next step was to create a smoothie of their choice and one smoothie with ingredients they have never tried. 

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

The target audience were 65 minority middle school boys from Carter G. Woodson Academy. 

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

Multiple participants were glad they tried smoothies with vegetables and fruit they've never tried before.

- I get nervous when trying new foods because I don't always know what to expect.

- Trying new foods is fun; it's way to explore different cultures and flavors