It the beginning of April, Rockcastle County FCS hosted its first Cooking Together/Eating Together Dinner Social. 5 adultl/child groups attended the new program an additional 4 children attended with a friend and his/her parent.   The children ranged in age from 4 to 12 years old;  4 youth attended with a parent and 1 attended with a grandparent.  The FCS agent recruited 2 volunteers to assist as well.  The children were active in preparation of the dinner meal and made the decisions on how to serve the meal as well.   Each of the children tried each menu item.  Participants chose to schedule 4 additional dinner socials to further learn more cooking skills and to spend quality time together.   Further evaluations will be reported with the upcoming programs.

Of the nine children attending, 7 attended at least 3 of the dinner socials.  In post evaluations 100%  said that they had tried a new food that they wouldn't have tried if they hadn't helped prepare it.  80% showed that they had learned at least one fact about food safety.  One parent related,  "I have been trying to get her to try eggs for years.  She has always said she doesn't like them, but I know she hadn't tried them.  Eggs aren't her favorite food yet, but at least now she is willing to try them.