SFA students teach essential nutrition, cooking tips in Cooking Matters program

More than 40 Stephen F. Austin State University students taught community members essential nutrition education and cooking tips during the Cooking Matters program.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Through the Cooking Matters program, more than 40 Stephen F. Austin State University students enrolled in the School of Human Sciences promoted healthy eating during the fall semester while taking HMS 409: Community Nutrition.

During the six-week Cooking Matters program, students taught community members essential nutrition education and cooking tips and took on different roles each week, including marketer, chef instructor, grocery shopper, nutrition instructor and class manager.

Justin Pelham, food, nutrition and dietetics clinical instructor at SFA, explained this allowed students to "experience the different dynamics of realistically participating in a community nutrition project."

The program was divided into different lessons with lectures and cooking opportunities. The final lesson involved shopping at a local grocery store and included games, food comparisons, a budgeting exercise and more.

According to Pelham, the project allowed students to see the impact they can personally have on other individuals to live a healthier lifestyle within a budget. He also said the project was a success, and based on participant feedback, students and community members are already asking when the next course offering will occur.

"We are excited for future classes and hope the word spreads in our community," Pelham said.