Grant County, KY has an obesity rate of 35.6% and a physical activity rate of 30.2%.  The Grant County Cooperative Extension Service Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Program in collaboration with Williamstown Independent and Grant County Schools offered Recipe for Life.

A total of 56 5th grade students participated it the program. Over 40% of Williamstown Independent elementary students and over 50% of Grant County elementary students scored at the novice or apprentice level in math. Food preparation is an effective way to practice reading comprehension and using a variety of measuring equipment to address fractions.  

Recipe for Life is an all-encompassing program teaching participants basic cooking skills, nutrition education, kitchen safety, etiquette, and the importance of physical activity.  Students arrive that morning and learn some of the basics, including kitchen safety and hand washing.  There they are split into five separate groups where they put reading comprehension and math skills to the test as they cooked 5 separate dishes that are served as the student’s lunch.  They practiced food safety, demonstrated correct use of equipment, and worked cooperatively in small groups.  The day is finished with a review on everything they learned and practiced that day.

After participating in the program, 81.8% of students knew proper kitchen safety techniques, 94.6% knew proper food safety and handling techniques, 89.1% reported being more likely to try new foods, and 87.5% plan to help prepare food with their families at home.

One teacher stated, “The kids clearly enjoy this so much.  You can see them enjoy learning new techniques, it really is the best field trip of the year!”