Kingston East Neighbourhood Centre’s free cooking program Yummy Meets Healthy will kick off again after the Easter holiday break.
The program invited families to come in with their children after school and learn to cook healthy meals together.
Dietician Renata Vasconcelos said the program started after the centre saw a rise in families coming in for food relief.
“We started the program because of the price of groceries and the food insecurity it has created,” she said.
“In this program, for one night a week the families know that they can come in for a lesson and learn how to cook up a nutritious meal and take it home for dinner that night for free – it gives them some relief.”
Ms Vasconcelos said the program not only teaches children how to cook nutritious meals, but their parents as well.
“Some parents don’t know how to cook, so we teach them as well as the children to learn a new skill, how to choose more nutritious options and get some variety in their diets,” she said.
“It’s about learning how to prepare simple, nutritious meals in a fun and supportive environment.”
“We also have a sustainability aspect too, teaching them how to waste less food at home and introducing new foods they may have never used before into their meals.”
Ms Vasconcelos said the program is a great way families can bond.
“It allows that bonding time and family connection between parents and their children,” she said.
“Families enjoy quality time cooking, sharing food, and building healthy habits together and have some fun!”
Yummy Meets Healthy is held from 3.30pm every Monday during school terms at Hope Centre Logan at Slacks Creek.
Spaces are limited. To register contact Renata at Renata.vasconcelos@keng.org.au
