Families are returning to the kitchen and the dinner table due to the  "Recipes for Life" program for 148 fifth grade students to teach them how to prepare and serve a formal five-course meal.  When the students are not cooking, volunteers teach them about nutrition, manners and etiquette. Before the event, the students submit a family recipe to be compiled in a book that each student receives.

"This is one of the best programs that we have for our students," said Julie Donahue, youth services librarian.  Grayson Rogers, a fifth-grade student said, that while he cooks with his family, he realizes not everyone does.  I think it's good for kids to get a chance to learn about cooking. Some kids eat out every night and do not know what is in their food."

Students shared what they took away from the day, noting the following:

  *86% plan to eat more fruits

  *80% plan to eat more vegetables

  *86% plan to try new foods

  *89% plan to prepare food at home

Results of the paired sample t-tests showed statistically significant pre-post improvements in nutrition knowledge. On the average, total scores improved from 10.30 in the pretest to 14.06 in the posttest, out of a maximum score of 17.00. The results of the McNemar tests of pre-post difference in the proportion of students providing correct responses to each question:

  * Best way to open a pot if boiling water (97%)

  *How should you clean kitchen surfaces (94%)

  *Safe positioning of pan handle while cooking  (99%)

  *Were more conscious about washing hands correctly (95%) 

  *How to guard food when using a knife (86%)

  *Storing food to prevent food poisoning (86%)

NEP will release The Recipes for Life program as a statewide curriculum in 2019. FCS agent entered this project in the JCEP Award of Excellence for NEAFCS and won the National in 2018.