Cooking Matters: Reflections on 2010
Posted by Julia Brodbeck on Friday, July 8, 2011
“My family is now eating together more than before; we are also making different choices about the food we eat. It has also given me and my son and daughter the chance to spend time doing something we like.” -Cooking Matters for Families graduate, Atlanta, GA
The recently-released Cooking Matters 2010 annual review summarizes the growth Share Our Strength’s signature nutrition education program has experienced, along with the measurable impact it is making on the lives of thousands of families across the country. In 2010, Cooking Matters reached over 12,000 families in 37 states, a 56 percent increase from the year before. Graduates of Cooking Matters courses also demonstrated measurable improvement in the way they shop, cook, and eat:
- 89% of adult graduates improved their cooking skills.
- 67% of teen graduates are eating more fruit.
- The average child graduate is 26% more confident in his or her ability to make a meal or snack with vegetables.
- 99% of all graduates would recommend Cooking Matters to others.
I work with these numbers every day, but the thing that strikes me most is how Cooking Matters positively affects everyone it touches.
Sharon Wilson, a mom of two from Los Angeles ate most of her meals at fast food chains before signing up for Cooking Matters. Throughout the six week course, Sharon learned she could save money and serve healthier food to her family by preparing meals at home. “I was impressed that someone took the time to teach us about healthy food, how to prepare it ourselves, and how to shop on a budget,” Sharon told us.
Participants aren’t the only ones who benefit from Cooking Matters: over 1,500 volunteers shared their strength this year, serving as culinary or nutrition instructors or in course support roles. Volunteers like Matthew Everett, a culinary instructor from Colorado, find joy in helping families learn valuable cooking skills. Matthew said, “With Cooking Matters, I am helping give motivated families the tools they need to permanently turn their lives around. It has been and will continue to be an extremely fulfilling part of my life.”
Finally, our lead partners who work on the ground with community agencies to hold courses also benefit from being part of the Cooking Matters network. Kristen Miale, Cooking Matters Program Director at Good Shepherd Food Bank in Maine, said, “Through collaborating with other Cooking Matters programs across the country, we are part of a national dialogue on how to not only just feed people, but to provide people with the nourishment they need to lead full and productive lives.”
As that dialogue grows, fueled by the No Kid Hungry Campaign and our partners and volunteers across the country, it’s exciting to think that Cooking Matters will empower even more families in 2011 to cook healthy and affordable meals together.
You can learn more about Cooking Matters, and read our 2010 annual review here.
July 8, 2011 | 0 comment(s) | Tags: annual review, cooking matters
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