With rising grocery costs, many families in the community have expressed interest in learning practical ways to stretch their food dollars while preparing nutritious meals at home. Cheese is a staple in many households but can be expensive when purchased at the store. There was a need for a hands-on educational opportunity to teach residents how to make fresh cheese at home, understand its nutritional benefits, and compare the cost savings of homemade versus store-bought cheese.

In response, the Family and Consumer Sciences Extension program offered a Mozzarella Cheesemaking Workshop, conducted twice to accommodate community interest. The workshops were designed as interactive, hands-on sessions where participants learned each step of the cheesemaking process. In addition to making mozzarella, the class demonstrated how to make ricotta cheese using leftover whey, further maximizing food resources. Participants also received information about the nutritional benefits of fresh cheese and discussed ways homemade cheese can be a more budget-friendly option.

A total of 22 community members participated across the two sessions. Participants represented a mix of adults interested in home cooking, self-sufficiency, and learning practical food skills to help reduce grocery expenses.

As a result of this program, 18 pounds of fresh mozzarella cheese and 2 pounds of ricotta cheese were made during the workshops, demonstrating the practical yield achievable at home. Eighteen out of twenty-two participants (82%) reported that they plan to make cheese again at home, showing strong intent to apply the new skill. Additionally, 100% of participants stated they gained useful knowledge about cheesemaking, nutrition, and cost savings, increasing their confidence to prepare fresh cheese for their families. This workshop successfully empowered participants with a sustainable, cost-effective food skill that supports household food budgets and healthy eating.