During the Spring of 2020 the program Cook Together Eat Together was offered in three separate sessions by the Lewis County FCS Program. The FCS agent led lessons from this program and taught youth cooking skills while also providing education and assistance to participating adults. These three sessions covered very different aspects of cooking and focused on Breakfast, Snacks, and Soups. Children were able to learn many practical cooking skills including how to safely use knives, how to crack an egg, how to wash vegetables, how to avoid cross contamination and how to safely handle hot food items.

At the conclusion of this program all youth reported that they were now making more food at home. Participating adults reported an increased interest in trying new foods and that the children were now helping to assist with cooking preparation and clean up in the kitchen at home. One parent remarked on the program stating that “my child has always been super picky about what they eat. They tried broccoli for the first time in this course and now they’re starting to try more and more foods at home that they previously wouldn’t touch”.

Current plans for the program include re-offering it again in the Fall of 2020 or the Spring of 2021 with a larger max cap for participation.

Youth participant in the class trying Oatmeal and Broccoli for the first time.