Kids in the Kitchen teaches importance of nutrition

As the Nutrition Outreach Coordinator* for FeedMore WNY, Perry spent his days running Kids In the Kitchen, teaching children and youth about the importance of nutrition.

The five-week course tackles one food group each week, meeting for about two hours after school. Attendees learn about each component that makes up the USDA’s MyPlate, and then try out recipes that they can take home to share with their families.

“Not only do we get to talk about nutrition, they get to make food, and eat the food that we are discussing,” Perry explains, adding that many youth in the program are more willing to try out new ingredients, such as dragon fruit, when they have a hand in preparing it.

As part of our Nutrition Education initiative, Kids in the Kitchen does more than teach children about the five food groups. “I think it’s expanding kids’ ability to be more confident and communicate,” Perry shares.

He adds, “It’s an incredible program…it’s an impact that goes much, much [further] than just nutrition.”

*Perry is now a FeedMore WNY Dietician, and Omar Velasquez is our new Nutrition Outreach Coordinator.