Cooking program helps Gibson County families
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TRENTON, Tenn. — Just in time for dinner, a national cooking program has whisked its way into West Tennessee with hopes of teaching families how being healthy starts in the kitchen.
It’s a hands-on cooking experience — six weeks of free cooking classes in Trenton, all thanks to a partnership between the Gibson County UT Extension Office and Share our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. “It has increased my level of awareness as far as preparing foods and nutrition,” participant Patricia Reed said. Gibson is one of nine Tennessee counties chosen for this pilot program. The cooking class teaches all the basics around the kitchen as well as giving healthy recipes for those everyday comfort foods.” “They learn things from how to prepare a healthy meal to culinary skill, shopping smart,” family and consumer science agent Barbara Berry said. Instructors walk through meal prep and discuss the benefits of healthy options. “I thought I was operating on a good level until I took this class,” Reed said. “I just love learning the things and the teamwork.” The resources and food are completely funded by the UT Extension Office and the national Cooking Matters program. “After each class, each participant is given the ingredients to prepare the meal at home with their family,” Berry said. Organizers say feedback has been positive but whether the classes resume has yet to be determined. “Hopefully, if the program is successful and shows impact we will be able to implement it,” Berry said. National Cooking Matters representatives will decide Monday whether the class should continue.
