University of Minnesota Extension - Cooking Matters

  • Basic Needs
  • Education
  • Family
  • Health
  • Income

Who We Are

Cooking Matters is a hands-on, cooking-based nutrition education program that teaches low-income families how to prepare healthy and delicious meals on a limited budget. The program connects local volunteer Culinary Instructors and U of M Nutrition Educators with community partners to empower families at risk of hunger with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to make healthy and affordable meals.

What are the goals of the program?

  • Surround kids at risk of hunger and/or chronic disease with nutritious foods where they live, learn, and play
  • Teach families how to prepare tasty nutritious foods on a limited budget
  • Promote daily physical activity and the importance of family time
  • Strive to help families help themselves
  • Increase access to public and private grocery support programs

What are some benefits of Cooking Matters Minnesota?

  • Hands-on cooking experience and improvements in cooking skills
  • Valuable advice on making the healthiest food choices possible with limited resources
  • Knowledge in navigating local grocery stores through a guided shopping tour
  • Take home groceries for teen and adult participants to practice what has been learned in class and at the same time, provide a nutritious, home-cooked meal for the family
  • A healthy increase in the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables being eaten
  • Improvements in food prep and kitchen safety by participant

What's at risk?

  • In 2009, 1 in 7 people in Minnesota were unable at some point to access sufficient food.
  • 1 in 8 children in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area are at risk of hunger.
  • Overall 25% of Minnesotans are considered obese.
  • The obesity rate is 38% for Minnesotans whose annual income is less than $15,000.
  • 1 in 3 children in Minnesota receive assistance for free or reduced price lunches at school.
  • Chronic disease is the number one cause of death and disability in the U.S.
  • Chronic diseases account for approximately 75% of the nation?s health care spending.

Cooking Matters Courses meet 1 time per week for 2 hours each, for 6 weeks in a row. Classes could really be any time, day or evening, Monday-Friday. It all depends on the agency that we are working with.

What We Do

The University of Minnesota Extension has been teaching Minnesota families about nutrition and healthy eating for the past 40 years through USDA funded EFNEP and SnapEd Programs. Extension has a vast network of Nutrition Educators throughout the state with the experience and know-how to reach families most in need.

Share our Strength and University of Minnesota Extension have partnered together to provide Cooking Matters here in Minnesota. Cooking Matters Minnesota is an exciting program which allows Extension to raise awareness and increase knowledge about healthy food choices and the importance of an active life style. The program also plays a critical role in Share our Strength's strategy to end childhood hunger.