Richard Chachowski, Author at Indy's Child Magazine

As almost every parent is sure to attest, few skills in life are as fundamentally important as cooking a decent meal. While it’s always tempting to simply throw together a last-minute meal made from whatever you can find in your cabinets, it’s also crucial to remember to enjoy healthier meals made with all-natural ingredients. Fortunately, Cooking Matters offers a firsthand learning environment that emphasizes healthy, budget-friendly dishes that the entire family can appreciate. Proving that nutritious meals can be fun, inexpensive and nurturing for every family, Cooking Matters has fundamentally changed the way people see food — not to mention all the wondrous possibilities that come from a remarkable recipe. How It Started Originally created by the national nonprofit Share Our Strength in 2015, Cooking Matters is currently offered through the Indy Hunger Network, an organization that has faithfully served communities across the Hoosier State for the past decade. The central aim of Cooking Matters is to teach locals how to incorporate healthy, low-cost meals to their ordinary diet. To that end, Indy Hunger Network brings mobile kitchens to numerous sites in Marion County and surrounding counties, reaching a number of program attendees interested in honing their cooking skills. Who It Serves As Indy Hunger Network indicates on its website, Cooking Matters is geared toward helping residents learn about the benefits of a nutritious diet and cost-effective ingredients. To help see that mission through, the program offers a number of free in-person class options, including a one-time 1-hour course, or four-week and six-week course formats. The goal of each Cooking Matters class is simple. Providing hands-on support from knowledgeable classroom leaders, attendees will familiarize themselves with healthy dining, from specific cooking methods to the nutritional concepts associated with certain recipes. Each class’s curriculum caters directly to adults and younger participants alike, making it a fantastic activity for families looking to learn and grow as at-home chefs together. Impact on the Community With classes entirely free to join and curricula approachable for the whole family, it’s easy to understand just how much Cooking Matters has improved local communities’ diets for the better. Nurturing participants’ cooking abilities while also instructing them about the advantages of a well-balanced diet, the program provides families with immersive cooking lessons that extend beyond simple culinary creations. Cooking Matters also fosters community engagement by having participants share the meal they cooked with the rest of their class. Attendees then leave with all the ingredients they used to make their recipe, so that they might make the same dish at home. Cooking Matters ends each course by handing out a folder filled with 21 budget-friendly meals capable of feeding a family of four or more for $15 or less. The program also provides a number of informational sheets detailing basic nutritional facts, food safety and handy tips to keep in mind for grocery shopping on a budget. Find out more information or get involved with Cooking Matters by visiting indyhunger.org/cookingmatters

Richard Chachowski

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