It has been reported that cooking more meals at home is related to increased fruit and vegetable consumption, which is a critical behavior for health promotion and disease prevention.   Cook Together, Eat Together, a social marketing program to promote more healthy, home-cooked family meals was offered virtually once a week for 8 weeks by the Todd County Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Agent.  A variety of food preparation methods, knife skills, adapting recipes, and food safety tips were taught.  A total of 6 adults completed the evaluation at the completion of the program.  

As a result of the program, 100% of the participants reported either they or someone in their family tried a new food; 100% improved their food preparation skills; 83.3% learned how to adapt to change ingredients in a recipe; 100% learned a new knife skill; 66.7% used their new knife skills since the cooking classes and 33.3% plan to use the new skills; 83.3% planned to try the recipes again or try other ones from the cooking series and 16.7% might.  When asked what they gained from participating in the Cook Together, Eat Together series, one of the participants said, “I obtained clear instruction in correct knife use, efficient slicing and chopping vegetables, and practical meal preparation (planning ahead better).” Another said they gained “Connection with others and different ways of doing things!  Fun times!” The virtual classes also offered the opportunity to see friends again as well as try new recipes.