Eating more fruits and vegetables is a critical behavior for health promotion and disease prevention. Despite the importance of eating more produce, it is also one of the most difficult eating behaviors to change. It has been reported that cooking more meals at home is related to increased fruit and vegetable consumption.

A program to promote more health, home-cooked family meals, Cook Together, Eat Together, was offered at the Mason County Cooperative Extension Office with 5 adults and 9 youth participants. Of the families participating, 2 included families where relatives were raising the children, 3 of the participants were African American, and 1 participant had special needs.

As a result of the program, 100% of participants reported eating more healthy foods such as whole fruits and/or brightly colored vegetables, while 80% prepared healthier, home-cooked meals. In addition, 50% adopted one or more practices to reduce food shopping costs associated with home-cooked meals such as comparing prices, planning meals, and making shopping lists.

Over the long term, these cooking and eating behavior changes may lead to sustainable changes in cooking and eating norms in a community. 

One parent said, “I didn’t think my child would even try that soup because it had broccoli in it, but he loved it and has already asked me to make it again this weekend.”