SFC: THE HAPPY KITCHEN COOKING CLASS - AUSTIN

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Sustainable Food Cooking Class - Austin

Provide 6 weeks of sustainable cooking and educational classes for low-income participants.
add to watch list

Sustainable Food Cooking Class - Austin

Provide 6 weeks of sustainable cooking and educational classes for low-income participants.
add to watch list

Sustainable Food Cooking Class - Austin

Provide 6 weeks of sustainable cooking and educational classes for low-income participants.

Project Summary

The participants of The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre™ Cooking Class are low-income and are most at-risk for diet-related diseases such as diabetes, weight issues, obesity, heart-disease, cancer and more.

Sustainable Food Center cultivates a healthy community by strengthening the local food system and improving access to nutritious, affordable food. SFC envisions a food-secure community where all children and adults grow, share and prepare healthy, local food.

From seed to table, SFC creates opportunities for individuals to make healthy food choices and to participate in a vibrant local food system. Through organic food gardening, relationships with area farmers, interactive cooking classes and nutrition education, children and adults have increased access to locally grown food and are empowered to improve the long-term health of Central Texans and of our environment.

The funds for this project provide 6 weeks of cooking and educational classes for low-income participants. The participants of the program will benefit from an increased understanding of healthy and nutritious food, leading to healthier food choices and increased health and wellness for themselves and for their families.

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Participants of the program are low-income and are most at-risk for diet-related diseases.

Demographics
Age: 33% 18-34; 32% 35-44; 16% 45 – 54; 19% 55+
Ethnicity: 81% Hispanic or Latino; 10% White or Caucasian and 7% Black or African American; 2% other
Gender: 93% Female
WIC recipient: 29% Yes and 71% No
Lonestar Card recipient: 39% Yes and 55% No
Total annual income: 40% below $21K; 36% $21K-$42K, 3% $47K+ and 20% left answer blank
Zip codes: 23% from 78702; 42% from 78741; 35% from other zip codes

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The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre™

The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre™ Program uses trained peer Facilitators to deliver its cooking classes and workshops throughout the community. The majority of Facilitators were Happy Kitchen participants who wanted to become more involved with the Program. Trainees undergo 12 hours of Facilitator Training Classes in which they gain important nutrition information, develop new cooking skills (like proper knife use) as well as learn to speak and present publicly. Upon completion of the Facilitator Training Classes, newly trained Facilitators are paired with experienced Facilitators to conduct their first cooking classes as "apprentices." This peer model enables experienced Facilitators to further their involvement with The Program while also developing invaluable leadership skills. New trainees gain self-confidence and knowledge by learning to deliver the classes from their peer mentors.

Direct Impact of Your Project

The participants of the program will have an increased understanding of healthy and nutritious food, leading to healthier food choices and increased health and wellness for about 20 people.

Extended Impact on Your Partner Community

Assuming an average of 4 family members per household based from data from previous classes, an additional 60 people will benefit from shared knowledge of healthy food choices and preparation.